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STEM education has a strategic role in promoting innovation, digital transformation, and the development of high-quality human resources, while also contributing to the achievement of socio-economic development goals. Among various approaches, STEM research stands out as one of the three main methods addressing these objectives. However, practical observations reveal that guiding students in scientific research is still limited, underscoring systemic deficiencies in current teacher training and professional development programs. This paper explores and proposes a process for transforming students’ experiential activities into technical research topics proposing a resource-efficient methodological framework for project transition. It also evaluates the factors that influence the effectiveness of students’ research processes. The study utilizes a mixed-methods approach, comprising a survey of 350 students in STEM fields that incorporate modern technologies, observes participation in typical research topics, and interviews experts and experienced managers. The results indicate that the INSPIRE protocol meets the expected outcomes in guiding students from experiential learning to research. Findings identify two critical determinants of research success: the strategic integration of AI and the configuration of the learning ecosystem. Educational leaders and instructors should focus on creating environments and policies that support genuine academic research, thus fostering a dual-value proposition: advancing community-centric technical solutions while cementing the student’s identity as a novice researcher.
This paper presents the research results on the current situation, demands, and solutions for the professional development of managers and teachers at Vietnam’s early childhood education institutions. The study was based on a survey of 7349 managers and teachers across 63 provinces and cities, employing a combination of qualitative methods (focused in-depth interviews, workshops, and group discussions) and quantitative methods (questionnaire survey). The findings indicated that most managers and teachers value the comprehensiveness and relevance of the issued regulations and guidelines; however, specific challenges have remained in their practical implementation. The research also showed that professional development has enhanced the knowledge and skills to meet job requirements. The most effective forms of training are concentrated sessions combined with distance learning, especially in the stage of digital transformation. However, challenges persist, particularly concerning the organization of training programs, timing, contents, and instructional materials. The article also highlights the need for early childhood managers and teachers to enhance their knowledge and practical skills in order to meet pedagogical and professional requirements in the context of educational reform; therefore, some solutions are recommended to improve the effectiveness of professional development, meeting the demands for enhancing professional competence and early childhood education reform.
Intercultural communicative competence (ICC) is a crucial skill for English-major students in today’s globalized world. This study investigates the intercultural communicative competence of English major students by examining their self-perceptions and the cultural barriers that hinder its development. Guided by Chen and Young’s (2012) ICC model, the research focuses on three core dimensions of ICC: cognitive, affective, and behavioural, integrating insights from existing literature to contextualize and interpret the findings. While ICC fosters adaptability and effective communication across cultural boundaries, students often face challenges such as fear of making mistakes, limited exposure to multicultural environments, language difficulties, cultural bias, and stereotypes. A quantitative research design was employed, using a 30-item questionnaire to collect data from 60 participants. The findings provide insights into students’ awareness of cultural obstacles and how these challenges affect their intercultural interactions. The study also offers practical implications for educators and curriculum designers in developing strategies to enhance students’ intercultural competence. By addressing these issues, the research contributes to improving English language education and preparing students for academic and professional success in multicultural environments.
This article identifies and conceptualizes key competences essential for lifelong learners to engage critically, ethically, and effectively within AI mediated environments. In the age of artificial intelligence (AI), lifelong learning must be reimagined to meet the demand for multi-dimensional competences. This study moves beyond traditional skill-based frameworks by highlighting critical awareness, relational intelligence, and future-oriented responsibility as key competencies. Grounded in connectivism, affordance theory, and transformative learning, this study conceptualizes Human-AI learning interaction across three interconnected domains including grounding personal agency, navigating human-AI relationships, and envisioning transformative futures. Methodologically, the study is informed by a comprehensive synthesis of theoretical literature, policy documents, and recent empirical research across education, technology, and lifelong learning. The article contributes a theoretically grounded and forward-looking model to inform lifelong learning policy, pedagogy, and learner development in the AI era.
Language is a very powerful tool in the classroom. It has the power to build or destroy students both emotionally and psychologically. The present study investigated the teachers’ use of language on students’ emotion. The study employed convergent mixed methods guided by a pragmatic paradigm. The data were collected through survey, interview and classroom observations from three schools in Samtse dzongkhag (district). Quantitative data were analysed using SPSS version 23, and thematic analysis was used to analyse qualitative data (Braun & Clark, 2018). The finding revealed that positive language used by teachers have a positive impact on students’ emotions, as well as their behaviour, motivation, and cognitive abilities. In contrast, the teacher’s negative use of language has a detrimental impact on the students’ emotions, conduct, and cognitive ability. The findings also highlighted that student prefer polite language. Based on the findings, it was recommended that teachers must be aware of the importance and necessity of using positive language. Without this consideration, schools may produce students who are emotionally, psychologically or cognitively unsound.
Doctoral research projects require not only methodological expertise but also project management competencies that enable timely and effective progress. This study applies Andragogy to examine how Vietnamese PhD students conceptualize, apply, and experience challenges in developing research project management skills. A two phase qualitative design was employed, including systematic document analysis and semi-structured interviews with 15 Vietnamese doctoral students at universities in the southern Vietnam. The findings reveal that students typically acquire project management competencies reactively after encountering delays and that autonomy alone is insufficient without structured guidance. Prior professional experience supports adaptation, but a lack of mentorship, heavy workloads, and overly theoretical training remain barriers. Students consistently reported greater engagement when exposed to experiential and problem based approaches aligned with Andragogical principles. This study contributes by bridging adult learning theory and project management in doctoral education, an intersection rarely explored. It offers three practical implications: the need for early orientation, structured yet flexible supervisory frameworks, and milestone-based training tailored to research stages. These insights inform ongoing doctoral reforms in Vietnam and extend international debates on strengthening research capacity through Andragogical approaches.