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number: /2023
CIT number: 0
Number of views: 1,146
Objective measurement of students’ reasoning competencies in science contexts is relevant in promoting educational reforms in science education. Over the years, progression-based assessments have been prompted by applying Rasch analysis in developing research instruments. Towards contributing to this reform, this study describes the development and validation of the Chemical Identity Thinking Instrument, which is anchored on a hypothesized progression of chemical identity thinking among premedical students. Item content validity indices were determined to inform item restructuring and revision. The research instrument was administered to 362 first-year to third-year pre-medical students from five higher education institutions in the Philippines. A scoring rubric was utilized to evaluate the accuracy of answers, the accuracy of explanations, and the type of explanations of students. Based on these parameters, the level of chemical identity thinking of the students was determined. By applying the Rasch rating scale model, evidence of reliability and construct validity was obtained. The applications of the instrument and the scoring rubric were discussed in the context of assessment and evaluation in pre-medical programs. The interpretation of changes in student abilities along the hypothesized levels of chemical identity thinking in all items was also described.
number: /2023
CIT number: 0
Number of views: 2,013
The study explores students' perceptions of the effectiveness of PowerPoint used by their tutors for teaching and learning at a teacher education college in Bhutan. The study adopts the theory of social constructivism as the foundation for inquiry, employing an embedded mixed method design. A total of 250 students from all academic programs responded to the survey questionnaire. To gather qualitative data, four focus group discussions were conducted, with each group consisting of seven participants, selected through purposive sampling. The key findings indicate that PowerPoint is perceived as an effective teaching and learning tool when it is pedagogically wellconstructed, incorporating interactive student activities and group discussions. The study highlights the need for further enhancement and refinement of tutors' capacity in terms of PowerPoint design, creativity, and the use of interactive tools and features. The findings also underscore the importance of establishing a formal student feedback system to evaluate tutors' PowerPoint design, use of physical ambience, and teaching pedagogy for effective teaching and learning. The study recommends enhancing tutors' knowledge and skills in PowerPoint through professional development programs, as well as advocating for further research in this field.
number: /2023
CIT number: 0
Number of views: 1,901
Online universities have been overgrown since the 1980s due to technological development. When the COVID-19 pandemic broke out, traditional universities and colleges were forced to shift to online learning. In this study, we conducted a comprehensive bibliometric of online university research from 1997 to 2021 based on retrieval of the Scopus database. The bibliometric analysis revealed the number of publications, the most prominent countries, authors, journal sources, and critical articles based on citations and the most relevant research topics. Since the first paper was published in 1997, annual publications in online university research have increased rapidly to 1.5 - 2 times every five years. The United States, Spain, and Korea are the top three countries regarding the number of Online university studies. However, it is the authors from Korea who have the most publications. These findings could provide information to researchers and practitioners to better understand Online universities in the experiential and digital era.
number: /2023
CIT number: 0
Number of views: 1,069
Implementing a policy to enhance continuous training for professionals in the Cuban educational system has prompted a diagnostic assessment of the university model and, more specifically, the English language education program. One of the proposed solutions to graduate competent professionals in this language is to improve the English training process in higher education. A management study was conducted to accomplish this goal. This study focuses on the Language Centre of Pinar del Rio University. It aims to present the key aspects of the English training process management that have led to its improvement. The research employed theoretical methods such as historical-logical, analysis-synthesis, modelling, and empirical methods such as document analysis, observation, and group interviews. The study involved 135 students starting the policy, 21 English teachers from the language centre, and 20 from non-English subjects. The findings highlight the essential aspects of management that have contributed to improving English language education at the university.
number: /2023
CIT number: 0
Number of views: 1,104
This study aimed to assess the level of understanding of critical literacy learning among 4th-grade teachers in Madiun City. The research was conducted at the Madiun City Education Office between March and July 2022, using a quantitative survey method. The study population comprised all 4thgrade teachers in elementary schools within the city, with a sample size of 108 teachers selected through simple random sampling using Slovin’s formula. Data was collected using questionnaires and analyzed through descriptive statistical techniques, including data editing, tabulation, analysis, and conclusion. Results indicated that the overall understanding of critical literacy learning among 4th-grade teachers in Madiun City was good, with the highest level of understanding found in the classification aspect and the lowest level of understanding found in the explaining aspect, categorized as very good and fair, respectively. To enhance the critical literacy understanding of 4th-grade teachers in Madiun City, collaboration among teachers, school principals, and the Madiun City Education Office is necessary.
number: /2023
CIT number: 0
Number of views: 1,595
The research was conducted to study the effects of Self-Instructional Materials (SIM) Volume I and II on student learning at Dagapela Middle Secondary School in line with the mandates of the Ministry of Education amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. Students ranging from pre-primary to class 10 participated in the study, and data was collected using survey questionnaires and interviews (N=53, with items rated at σ=0.7). The study followed a mixed method approach (Parallel Convergent Mixed Method) combining quantitative and qualitative data. The findings were integrated from both data analyses. The results indicate that secondary grade students were comfortable using SIM for their learning, while lower primary grade students experienced more challenges than opportunities due to the lack of guidance from teachers and support from parents. The study concludes that independent learning materials should be developed for secondary and upper-primary students, aligned with their learning abilities and resource materials. However, similar materials for lower primary students may be ineffective.
number: /2023
CIT number: 0
Number of views: 1,350
In Vietnam, the state budget is the main source of funding for the operation of public higher education institutions. With a limited state budget that is divided among many equally important spending purposes, the portion of the state budget devoted to higher education needed to be more modest. This makes it even more important to manage this scarce resource effectively. This paper addresses the performance-based allocation of state budgets for higher education. It employs a non-parametric method of evaluating relative efficiency using the two-stage data envelopment analysis CCR model under constant returns to scale to evaluate universities’ performance. The estimation results on a sample of 29 universities under the Ministry of Education and Training management for the academic year 2019-2020 show that the effective universities belonged to all single-disciplinary ones. Management was an important factor leading to the difference in efficiency scores between universities under study.
number: /2023
CIT number: 0
Number of views: 1,886
Inclusive education for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) relies on the active involvement of parents. However, in Vietnam, research on the difficulties and needs of parents in accessing reference materials remains limited. This study aimed to examine the challenges and requirements of parents in obtaining guidelines for children with ASD in inclusive schools. An online survey was conducted with 109 parents of elementary school students with ASD to investigate this issue. The findings indicate that, in the existing guidelines, much of the information on autism symptoms, signs, and causes are primarily obtained from social media sites and unreliable sources. In contrast, parents expressed a desire to access materials developed by autism experts in a video format that is easy to comprehend and implement.
number: /2023
CIT number: 0
Number of views: 2,378
Despite Zimbabwe being a signatory to various international gender equality treaties and protocols, rural female students’ progression in education at one secondary school remains a mirage. In this context, this study sought to explore factors influencing rural female students to either progress or not in secondary school education. Data generation, analysis, and discussion were grounded in an emancipatory paradigm and qualitative approach. Against this background, the researchers used document analysis, interviews, and focus group discussion in sourcing information. As sources of data, thirty rural female students and five class teachers from one secondary school were purposively selected to form the sample for the study. Generated data were analyzed and discussed according to themes derived from the research questions. In this context, results from the analyzed and discussed data revealed numerous gender-related policy guidelines that advocate for rural female students’ progression in secondary school education. It was also noted that socialization was the protagonist in influencing rural female students on whether to progress or not to progress in secondary school education. In addition, the findings revealed that female students encounter multi-faceted obstacles in their progression in secondary school education. Therefore, from these results, the researchers concluded that multiple obstacles make rural female students’ progression in secondary school education a mirage. In this context, researchers recommended that parents or guardians transform their mindsets toward the rural female students’ progression in secondary school education and beyond.
number: /2022
CIT number: 0
Number of views: 2,269
This study sought to explore implementation of the continuous assessment learner activities (CALA) in marginalized secondary schools. Transformative paradigm, and qualitative approach formed the methodological framework that guided the data sourcing, analysis and discussion of the findings. In this context records were identified from grey literature, duplicate sources were removed before screening, thereafter screening was done with some being excluded based on either their abstracts or content. The articles, which met the inclusion criteria were interrogated through content analysis. Findings indicate that the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education through policy circulars has conventional efforts to reorient marginalized secondary schools’ CALA. Though the decision to introduce CALA in marginalized secondary schools was noble, it was negatively affected by ineffective planning, and preparation. These in one way or the other have contributed negatively to the implementation of CALA in marginalized secondary schools. In light of these findings, the study recommends that alternative CALA implementation strategies that are inclusive and further staff development activities that address misconceptions on this new approach to assessment.