Professional development and the university casual academic: integration and support strategies for distance education

2013 ◽  
Vol 34 (2) ◽  
pp. 189-200 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katrina Higgins ◽  
R. E. (Bobby) Harreveld
Keyword(s):  
Professional Development ◽  
Distance Education ◽  
Academic Integration ◽  
Support Strategies ◽  
The University

scholarly journals Learning activities in the University of Rwanda’s distance teacher education materials: Some lessons for designers

2020 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Professional Development ◽  
Distance Education ◽  
Learning By Doing ◽  
Learning Activities ◽  
Learning Approaches ◽  
Surface Approach ◽  
Approach To Learning ◽  
Teacher Professional ◽  
Surface Approach To Learning ◽  
The University

Learning activities constitute a very important component of distance education materials. They are associated with active learning and learning by doing, which are widely accepted as effective learning approaches. Learning by doing is particularly significant in distance education because distance learners have to teach themselves or learn on their own through doing and reflecting. This article reports and reflects on research which focused on the distance education materials designed by the University of Rwanda’s College of Education to provide professional development opportunities for high school teachers of English in Rwanda. Findings from a textual analysis of the materials and from interviews with a sample of teachers who had used these materials indicate that most of the activities were designed solely for ‘assessment of learning’ purposes and encourage a surface approach to learning. It is argued that activities which encourage a surface approach to learning limit learners’ engagement with, and understanding of, the content in the materials and improvement in quality teaching, a key goal of teacher professional development.

On Advisor Education: Evaluating Departmental Training and Professional Development Practices of Academic Staff in a Japanese University

Relay Journal ◽  
2019 ◽  
pp. 271-291
Author(s):  
Huw Davies
Keyword(s):  
Professional Development ◽  
Academic Staff ◽  
Realist Evaluation ◽  
International Studies ◽  
Peer Observation ◽  
Research Issue ◽  
Training Aids ◽  
The People ◽  
The University ◽  
Initial Research

This study is an evaluation of the professional development (PD) programme for learning advisors employed in the self-access centre at Kanda University of International Studies in Japan. The research issue investigated was whether the PD activities of advisors allow them to provide appropriate support to students at the University. The implementation of policies, the people and the setting were all considered in building an understanding of what may make the programme work. The framework used to understand this programme is realist evaluation (Pawson & Tilley, 1997), in which theories related to the initial research issue were refined and developed to offer new perspectives. Results suggest that initial training aids advisors in supporting students, but that future implementation decisions are needed for the mentoring element of the programme and on whether more peer observation should take place. The implication that informal discussion among the workgroup and the freedom to choose personal PD journeys are fundamental drivers of effective practice is a finding that may be applied to other teacher and advisor education settings.

scholarly journals Sustainable Teacher Training via Distance Education: The Effect of Study Centers, Gender and Economic Demographics on Academic Performance

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (14) ◽  
pp. 7965
Author(s):  
Hong Zhang ◽  
Wilson Osafo Apeanti ◽  
Paul Georgescu ◽  
Prince Harvim ◽  
Dianchen Lu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Teacher Education ◽  
Distance Education ◽  
Academic Performance ◽  
Education Program ◽  
Teacher Education Program ◽  
Policy Implications ◽  
Education Students ◽  
Traditional Mode ◽  
The University ◽  
Better Than

We examine the effectiveness and sustainability of the distance teacher education program established by the University of Education, Winneba, Ghana, by investigating the differences in the academic performance of students who are trained in the teacher education program via traditional and distance education modes, respectively, from 2011 to 2015. Close attention is paid to the factors that affect the academic performance of students in the distance mode. Our findings confirm that traditional mode students perform better than their distance mode counterparts in terms of cumulative GPAs. Gender and economic demographics of distance study centers are found to affect the academic performance of distance education students significantly. The policy implications of these findings are discussed and directions of further action are outlined.

IMPACT ANALYSIS OF HEC- BASED TRAINING PROGRAMS ON THE PERFORMANCE OF THE UNIVERSITY TEACHERS IN PAKISTAN

2012 ◽  
Vol 01 (06) ◽  
pp. 35-40
Author(s):  
Khalid Hussain Shaikh ◽  
Ikhtiar Ahmed Ghumro ◽  
Asif Ali Shah ◽  
Faiz M. Shaikh ◽  
Tahira Afridi
Keyword(s):  
Professional Development ◽  
Personal Development ◽  
Impact Analysis ◽  
Training Programs ◽  
Effective Teacher ◽  
University Teachers ◽  
Instructional Activities ◽  
Teacher Aides ◽  
The Government ◽  
The University

The current research investigates the HEC based training for the University teachers in Pakistan and its impact on the performance on University teachers. The Higher Education Commission (HEC) in Pakistan seeks to improve the quality of teaching by University teachers. The Commission has initiated different forms of training according to the areas of expertise in order to improve skills and impact on the performance of University teachers. HEC based training plays a crucial role in the personal development among the University Teachers in Pakistan. Survey was conducted from 200 University teachers who have recently got training from HEC skill development or professional development training from HEC from all provinces. Structural questionnaire was design for reliability and accuracy the data. Analysis and evaluation was done by using GENSTAT statistical software. Major findings of the study showed that training should be provided according to discipline and more interactive training should be design for the University teachers. It was revealed that HEC based training not only equipped with knowledge but also improving the confidence level of the University teacher. Moreover due to the government policies, rules and regulations, such as introduction of the Tenure Track System, the and hiring the foreign faculty in various all Public sector universities it also has impact on the performance of students in job market. It revealed that teacher training was beneficial for professional development as well as for teaching performance. It also suggested that improved knowledge, skills and attitudes was necessary for the teacher aides to support the teaching program and facilitate learning and communication. It was further revealed that effective teacher aides required competencies in broad areas of human relations, instructional activities, non-instructional activities, and basic skills. The study concluded that basic and advanced level training is necessary for future training programs in Pakistan and 190 respondents responded to the questionnaires, by producing 95.0% response rate. Among which 70 % were male respondents and 30% were female respondents

DISTANCE LEARNING AND INFORMATION SECURITY

2021 ◽  
pp. 51-65
Author(s):  
Andrei V. Gavrilenko ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Distance Education ◽  
Distance Learning ◽  
Information Security ◽  
Learning System ◽  
Learning Problems ◽  
Security Assessment ◽  
Critical Nodes ◽  
Distance Learning System ◽  
Principal Directions ◽  
The University

The article considers an issue of information security of the distance education systems. It analyzes the functions and architecture of the typical distance education system. With considering the requirements of information security it also discusses the university information system for solving the distance learning problems. The author defines valuable assets and information resources and describes the existing security threats. The subjects of interaction in the distance learning mode are presented. There is a consideration of the principal directions of the university’s activity in the distance learning system, requiring constant monitoring of information security. A threat model is worked out and the main security vulnerabilities are highlighted. The analysis of the causes and consequences of information security violation in the distance learning system is carried out and most vulnerable and critical nodes were identified. The hardware and software requirements for the remote mode work are regarded. A recommended list of hardware and software tools that ensure compliance with safety requirements is presented. The major lines of protection for distance learning systems are highlighted. The article proves the necessity of conducting a regular security assessment as a means for monitoring an effectiveness of the protection system.

Measuring digital professional development: analytics for the use of web and social media

2015 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 19-31 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jason Rhode ◽  
Stephanie Richter ◽  
Peter Gowen ◽  
Murali Krishnamurthi
Keyword(s):  
Professional Development ◽  
Social Media ◽  
Faculty Development ◽  
Online Resources ◽  
Faculty Professional Development ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Online Resource ◽  
The University ◽  
Development Center ◽  
Faculty Development Centers

Purpose – As faculty professional development increasingly occurs online and through social media, it becomes challenging to assess the quality of learning and effectiveness of programs and resources, yet it is important to evaluate such initiatives. The purpose of this paper is to explore how one faculty development center experimented with using analytics to answer questions about the use and effectiveness of its web and social media resources. Design/methodology/approach – The case study was based on direct observation of the center’s practice and review of selected data generated by the analytic tools. Findings – Unfortunately, while some analytics are available from a variety of sources, they are often distributed across tools and services. The center developed an analytics strategy to use data from Google Analytics and social media reporting tools to assess the use of online and social professional development resources. Initial results show that the center’s online and social professional development resources are widely used, both within and outside the university. However, more work is necessary to improve the strength and scope of the available analytics. Practical implications – As a result of the analysis, the center has streamlined online resources, targeted social media use, and has begun developing methods to allow faculty to report online resource use as professional development for academic personnel purposes. Originality/value – Many faculty development centers have not explored methods of evaluating online and social media resources. This paper outlines a strategic evaluation plan to measure the usage of online resources as well as engagement and interaction through social media.

The Exploration and Analysis of Distance Education Teachers’ Professional Development - Based on the Field of Vision of Philosophy of Technology

2013 ◽  
Vol 411-414 ◽  
pp. 2795-2804
Author(s):  
Jun Feng Wang
Keyword(s):  
Professional Development ◽  
Distance Education ◽  
Philosophy Of Technology ◽  
Rapid Development ◽  
Team Building ◽  
Open University ◽  
University Teachers ◽  
Academic Level ◽  
Teachers Professional Development ◽  
Good Plan

Abstract. The key of Open University construction is the teachers’ team building, and the teachers’ professional development is the most important part. Open University teachers’ professional development has not fit for our teaching requirements any more. The rapid development of information society put forward some severe challenges to Open University teachers’ professional development. Under the view of philosophy of technology, fit for the request of the new situation, It must have some progress on Open University teachers’ professional development: first, to improve the professional academic level; second, to improve the teaching skills; third, to improve the information technology. Those three parts constitute connotation of professional distance education teachers. In the deep analysis the difference between Open University teachers’ professional development and the reality, base on this reason, they offered a good plan, which we hopefully can enhance, the Open University teachers’ professional level, and also can improve the distance education quality.

scholarly journals Treasuring and preserving languages: how the inclusive design in MOOCs might help

2020 ◽  
pp. 5-12
Author(s):  
Kate Borthwick
Keyword(s):  
Professional Development ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
Online Courses ◽  
Massive Open Online Courses ◽  
Inclusive Design ◽  
Learning Contexts ◽  
Barriers To Access ◽  
Open Content ◽  
The University ◽  
Development Course

This paper reflects on the inclusive design features of Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) and how these might support and encourage language learning. It considers what inclusivity in the context of MOOCs means, and some of the features of MOOCs which might be inherently inclusive and of value in supporting languages. It presents an example of inclusive design from a MOOC created at the University of Southampton: English as a Medium of Instruction (EMI) for Academics, a professional development course for teachers. It shows how this course was particularly designed to appeal to the broadest audience possible, and indicates how this might be relevant in language learning contexts. It considers the challenges of creating inclusive open content, and how MOOC design encourages the treasuring and preserving of languages through global reach and low barriers to access.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document