Contextualizing powerful geographic knowledge in higher education: Data-driven curriculum design to interweave student aspirations with workforce applications

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-14
Author(s):  
Thomas B. Larsen ◽  
Michael Solem ◽  
Joann Zadrozny ◽  
Richard G. Boehm
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Curriculum Design ◽  
Data Driven ◽  
Student Aspirations ◽  
Education Data ◽  
Geographic Knowledge

A review on the prerequisites of Evidence-Based Curriculum as a driver to skills development of the leather value chain in Africa

2019 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-10
Author(s):  
Mwinyikione Mwinyihija
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Curriculum Design ◽  
Value Chain ◽  
Theoretical Perspective ◽  
Economic Benefits ◽  
Skills Development ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Wealth Creation ◽  
Urban Rural ◽  
Review Study

The review study closely introspects’ on the prerequisites of evidence-based curriculum within the realms of specialized skills development agenda as pursued through higher education Institutions in Africa. Explicitly, the constraining factors that bedevil the leather sector are identifiable when appropriate research designs tools are applied. As such, in the process of identifying the constraints, renascence themes could, therefore, be beneficial in collecting evidence in support of developing curriculum. Such a developed curriculum stands higher chances of acceptability and aptly mitigates against challenges related to specialized skills development. The review succinctly indicates that in the process of identifying the themes, the scope of collecting evidence becomes attainable, thus, improving curricula that entails a participatory and transformative orientation. Indeed, during the review phase of the study, three main perspectives are depicted to be consequential in attaining a comprehensive, evidence-based curriculum, such as; action research, backward curriculum design perspective and theoretical perspective. Therefore, about this perspective, a reflection based on personal experiences and related to new knowledge with what they already know leads to constructivism. The relevancy of a constructivist strategy is observed to facilitate the observatory and evaluative stance during the development of evidence-based curriculum. Moreover, in consolidating and sustaining the benefit of such a developed curriculum, threshold concept was found during the review that it complements the process and strengthens the collecting evidence for curriculum development. Accordingly, therefore, the result of the review study indicate that Africa would  position itself for initiating transformational changes in aspects of specialized higher education, fruition towards socio-economic benefits (e.g. employment, wealth creation and technology transfer), reversal of urban-rural or inter/intra continental migration flurry.

6. The Communicative Pragmatics of Data-Use for Equity: A Theoretical and Methodological Framework

2020 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 117-149
Author(s):  
Mary B. Ziskin
Keyword(s):  
Critical Race Theory ◽  
Communicative Action ◽  
Educational Equity ◽  
Data Use ◽  
College Faculty ◽  
Postsecondary Institutions ◽  
Data Driven ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Education Data ◽  
Critical Qualitative Research

<?page nr="117"?>Abstract Calls for higher education institutions to implement improvements guided by “data-driven” processes are prevalent and widespread. Despite the pervasiveness of this turn toward data, research on how data-use works on the ground in postsecondary institutions—that is, how individuals within institutions make sense of education data and use it to inform practice—is still developing.Drawing on Habermas’ Theory of Communicative Action (TCA), critical-race theory, and methodological guidance on critical-qualitative research methods, this paper synthesizes methodological and substantive insights from P–12 data-use research, with an eye to applying these insights to critical questions on postsecondary educational equity. The result of the review and analysis is a theoretical framework and a set of methodological recommendations for future research on the perceptions and experiences of college faculty, administrators, and practitioners, regarding their data-use and its implications for equity.

scholarly journals To what extent emotion, cognition and behaviour enhance a student’s engagement: A case study on the MAJA teaching approach

2021 ◽  
pp. 147821032110320
Author(s):  
Matt M. Husain
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Cognitive Engagement ◽  
Learning Outcome ◽  
Soft Or ◽  
Final Exam ◽  
Course Content ◽  
Higher Education System ◽  
Student Aspirations ◽  
Class Environment

This empirical article problematises student engagement in today’s higher education system. The objective of this research is to stimulate a student’s behavioural, emotional and cognitive engagement. I employed an inclusive, inductive and reflexive approach and used mixed methods for collecting data from 948 volunteer participants. The preliminary findings illustrate that playing soft or lively music for a few minutes before a class as well as contextualising and delivering course content combined with enrolled students’ background, hobbies and preferences can go a long way in stimulating emotional and cognitive engagements. The findings also reveal that offering chair yoga during mid-term and/or final exam periods as well as encouraging students to hydrate can lead to increasing behavioural adjustments and then in attention and engagement. The results are encapsulated in a novel teaching framework, MAJA (meaning fun in Sanskrit) that stands for: (a) music, (b) anonymous class survey, (c) jest, and (d) aliment. The framework illuminates that when students tangibly sense a connection between a safe and comfortable class environment and course content, their participation increases and absenteeism decreases. They also promote student aspirations and accountability that facilitate critical thinking, an imperative learning outcome in higher education.

Developing a measure of innovation from research in higher education data

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marlo M. Vernon ◽  
C. Makenzie Danley ◽  
Frances M. Yang
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Education Data

scholarly journals The Finnish Product Development Teachers’ Perceptions of their Pedagogical Content Knowledge in Higher Education

2019 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 609-618
Author(s):  
Elina Mäkelä ◽  
Petra Auvinen ◽  
Tero Juuti
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Educational Technology ◽  
Product Development ◽  
Pedagogical Content Knowledge ◽  
Content Knowledge ◽  
Curriculum Design ◽  
Teacher Interviews ◽  
Pedagogical Content ◽  
Teachers Perceptions ◽  
Knowledge Based

AbstractThe paper concerns the Finnish product development teacherś perceptions on their pedagogical content knowledge in higher education settings. The aim is to describe and analyse what kind of pedagogical content knowledge the teachers have and, therefore, to provide a better understanding of the type of knowledge unique to product development teaching. The model of pedagogical content knowledge used here includes the components of product development content knowledge, pedagogical knowledge and pedagogical content knowledge. Based on seven teacher interviews, the main content knowledge concerns the process of product development, its different phases and methods as well as the usage of different software programs. The teachers use diverse teaching methods and their attitude towards educational technology is mostly positive. Course learning outcomes and working life are acknowledged when planning teaching, but only a few teachers take curriculum into account and participate in curriculum design. Even though the teachers use different evaluation methods in teaching, new ways of evaluation are needed. This may be something that innovative educational technology tools can make possible.

scholarly journals A REVIEW OF RECENT PAPERS ON ONLINE DISCUSSION IN TEACHING AND LEARNING IN HIGHER EDUCATION

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Hammond
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Curriculum Design ◽  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
Online Discussion ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Online Forums ◽  
Computer Communication ◽  
Asynchronous Online Discussion ◽  
Design Software ◽  
Additional Value

This paper presents a review of a sample of recent case studies on the use of asynchronous online discussion in higher education. These studies are analyzed in terms of curriculum design, assumptions about teaching and learning, and claims and reported conditions for using online discussion. The claims made for asynchronous online discussion—in particular the opportunities for interaction between learners, and permanent access to these interactions—are found to be frequently based on social constructivist principles. Asynchronous online discussion is seen as offering additional value by providing learners with experience of computer communication tools and opportunities for taking part in group work. Several constraints on participation within online forums are described. These are discussed in relation to the nature of curriculum design, software design, tutor support, and learners’ attitudes and previous experience. The conditions under which asynchronous online discussion may best support learning are set out, and avenues for future research are suggested.

scholarly journals Information Technology Asymmetry and Gaps Between Higher Education Institutions and Industry

10.28945/4553 ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 19 ◽  
pp. 339-365
Author(s):  
Yasar Guneri Sahin ◽  
Ufuk Celikkan
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Information Technology ◽  
Software Development ◽  
Computer Science ◽  
Curriculum Design ◽  
Soft Skills ◽  
Higher Education Institutions ◽  
Technical Skills ◽  
It Professionals ◽  
Industry Trends

Aim/Purpose: This paper investigates the gaps between industry and academia perceptions of information technology fields, such as computer science, software engineering, and computer engineering, and it identifies areas of asymmetry between curricula and industry expectations. The study mainly focuses on the skills required of IT professionals (graduated students) and on how higher education institutes equip students for industry. Background: Higher education institutes have several IT-related departments. However, it is not clear whether these departments have sufficient content to equip students with industry-related skills. Rapid advances mean that some curriculum topics are redundant before the end of a standard two- or four-year degree programs. Balancing the technical/non-technical skills and adjusting the curricula to better prepare the students for industry is a constant demand for higher education institutions. Several studies have demonstrated that a generic curriculum is inadequate to address current IT industry needs. Methodology: The study involved a comprehensive survey of IT professionals and companies using a Web-based questionnaire sent directly to individual companies, academics, and employers. 64 universities and 38 companies in 24 countries were represented by the 209 participants, of whom 99 were IT professionals, 72 academics, and 38 employers. Contribution: This paper is intended to guide academics in preparing dynamic curricula that can be easily adapted to current industry trends and technological developments, with content directly relevant to student’s careers. In addition, the results may identify the skills that students need to secure employment and the courses that will provide skills in line with current industry trends. Findings: The results indicate a lack of emphasis on personal and non-technical skills in undergraduate education compared to general computer science, software development, and coding courses. Employers’ and software experts’ responses emphasize that soft skills should not be ignored, and that, of these, analytical thinking and teamwork are the two most requested. Rather than a theoretical emphasis, courses should include hands-on projects. Rapid developments and innovations in information technologies demand that spiral and waterfall models are replaced with emerging software development models, such as Agile and Scrum development. Recommendations for Practitioners: A multidisciplinary approach should be taken to the teaching of soft skills, such as communication, ethics, leadership, and customer relations. Establishing multiple learning tracks in IT education would equip students with specialized knowledge and skills in IT. An effective communication channel should be established between students and industry. It is also important to reduce the distance between academics and students and to provide an interactive environment for technical discussions. Enterprise level computing and Framework use provide job market advantages. Recommendation for Researchers: Researchers and department heads, particularly those involved in curriculum design and accreditation, could use the results of this exemplary study to identify key topics for attention. Impact on Society: Changes of various degrees are required in the current curricula in many higher education institutions to better meet student needs. Societies and technology are dynamic in nature, and information technology-related curricula in higher education institutions should be equally dynamic. Future Research: Since technology (especially information technology) transforms and advances itself so rapidly, this study should be replicated t to investigate how these changes affect the gap between revised curricula and current industry expectations.

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