scholarly journals Action research on the application of technology assisted urban gaming in language education in a Polish upper-secondary school

2018 ◽  
Vol 31 (7) ◽  
pp. 734-763
Author(s):  
Joanna Pitura ◽  
Elżbieta Terlecka-Pacut
2016 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 36
Author(s):  
Rosanna Tammaro ◽  
Marika Calenda ◽  
Annamaria Petolicchio ◽  
Iolanda Sara Iannotta

<p>This paper describes a study that is currently being carried out in an Upper Secondary School in the Province of Salerno (Campania, Italy). Using the Student Voice approach, the research group of the University of Salerno started the study with the aim of spreading the culture of participation and the active involvement of students in school life, while also strengthening their role as active decision-makers in the teaching/learning processes. This research is divided into two stages: an exploratory phase, that is currently being carried out and interests only one fourth year class of a Second Level College of Science: we define this phase our pilot study. Subsequently, based on critical situation and results of the first phase, the aim is to include a larger number of students. The pilot study involves 22 students of a fourth year class and deals with the problems of inattention and lack of interest that, in general, students demonstrate towards school activities. The main purposes of this first phase are: to gather information and to analyse the reasons for this recurring behavior; to implement, with the Student Voice approach, resolved strategies, as well as, verify their effectiveness; and based on this study’s results, we want to involve a larger number of students, if possible, during the next school year (2016/2017). The aim is to establish a different relationship with students, promoting dialogue and debate with teachers, to bring out their points of view, their wishes, the expectations they have towards the school, in order to integrate their concerns in the decisions which affect them. The approach used in this study is <em>qualitative-hermeneutic</em>; an Italian schoolteacher that is co-author of this paper, with the support of the research group, carried out the Action-Research; the data are the result of the observations, group discussions and comparisons. First, a questionnaire was developed to find initial information regarding the students’ opinion about the use of technologies for didactic activities, suggestions and preferences on learning. Subsequently, a qualitative data analysis was carried out, useful to achieve new information for research continuance, specifically to construct the instrument that will be used in the second phase.</p>


Author(s):  
Teija Kangasvieri

In this article I explore the relationship between Finnish ninth graders’ L2 motivational profiles, language grades and future study plans after basic education. The aim of the study is to critically explore the relationship between motivation and language grades and reflect on the possible implications of this for language education policies. The statistically representative data was collected with an e-questionnaire (n=1 206). For this study, I analysed those who planned to continue their studies to general upper secondary school or vocational education after basic education, and who submitted their language grade (n=981). In earlier analyses of the study (Kangasvieri, 2019), five motivational profiles were found: the least motivated, averagely motivated with low anxiety, averagely motivated, the most motivated and students with high anxiety. In this study, the connection between these motivational profiles and students’ education choice is explored, taking into account the effect of grades. A logistic regression analysis was conducted. The results show that the probability to continue to general upper secondary school or vocational education in each motivational profile depends on the grade. The model explains about 30 percent of the students’ educational choices. Additionally, the results show that the more motivated the student is in his/her language studies, the higher grade he/she feels is needed in order to plan to continue to general upper secondary school after basic education. Correspondingly, less motivated students plan to continue to general upper secondary school with poorer grades than more motivated students.


2020 ◽  
Vol 19 (6) ◽  
pp. 875-892
Author(s):  
Sevim Bezen ◽  
Celal Bayrak

In this research, the teaching of mechanical waves was realized with inquiry-based learning; the aim was to determine the changes in students’ conceptual understanding of spring, water, and sound waves. It was designed as action research. The study group comprised 58 upper-secondary school students enrolled in 10th grade at an Anatolian upper-secondary school in Turkey. Data collection tools used in the research were the form for conceptual understanding of mechanical waves, semi-structured interviews, video recordings and photographs, student journals, and hand-made materials. Moreover, researchers designed an action plan that was composed of activities on spring, water, and sound waves. Descriptive and conceptual content analyses were utilized in data analysis. At the end of the research, it was determined that there was a change in students’ conceptual understanding of spring, water, and sound waves. Moreover, it was determined that teaching based on inquiry-based learning contributed positively to students’ learning. In this respect, it is thought that such applications should become widespread. There should be online training for lecturers which in return would contribute to students’ learning. Keywords: 5E learning model, action research, inquiry-based learning approach, mechanical waves, upper-secondary students


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