Training competences in smart cities: an online program for higher education students

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Joaquín Adiego ◽  
Natalia Martín-Cruz
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Training Program ◽  
Smart Cities ◽  
Online Training ◽  
Interdisciplinary Teams ◽  
Project Based Learning ◽  
Modern Approach ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Teaching Learning ◽  
Major Adjustment

Purpose This paper aims to explain the development of an online training curriculum to enable students to acquire the transversal competences needed to work on smart cities projects. In this curriculum, a modern approach to the teaching-learning process was applied, suitable for the interdisciplinary and multinational learning challenges that smart cities impose, but within the framework of a university-industry European partnership. Design/methodology/approach To develop the curriculum, the competences needed for smart cities, common to all disciplines and fields, had to be researched. In addition, real smart cities projects also had to be selected for work following a project-based learning methodology. For both, this study applied the Delphi method, selecting the most relevant ones based on the data obtained by performing a multi-criteria decision analysis. Findings The procedure followed for the identification of transversal competences in a field, the design of an innovative online training program and the results of the first edition of the program are discussed. Research limitations/implications The processes that were developed, both to detect the most relevant transversal competences and to design the online training program, could be extrapolated to other areas. Moreover, it is very likely that the competences detected in this work could also be extrapolated, for the most part, to interdisciplinary teams. Originality/value To date, there is no European initiative addressing the challenges of smart cities that requires a major adjustment in higher education, in the relationship between universities and all the mechanisms of lifelong learning with the industry related to smart cities. This work is a pioneer in this regard.

Internet based learning (IBL) in higher education: a literature review

2017 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 102-129 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rajan Yadav ◽  
Anurag Tiruwa ◽  
Pradeep Kumar Suri
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Learning Process ◽  
Social Networking Sites ◽  
Traditional Teaching ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Literature Research ◽  
Teaching Learning ◽  
Use Of Internet ◽  
Traditional Class ◽  
Method Approach

Purpose The growing use of internet-based learning (IBL) platforms in institutions of higher education is producing profound changes in the traditional teaching learning process worldwide. This paper aims to identify and understand the ways in which higher education institutions draw benefits by the use of such means, synthesizing the literature research. Design/methodology/approach The study synthesized the literature research by using a mixed method approach in which both Web of Science (WoS) and bibliographic techniques were used to retrieve the relevant data base. Findings The comprehensive review of the literature suggests that communication technology (CT), massive open online courseware (MOOCs), social networking sites (SNSs), blogs, real simple syndication (RSS) and YouTube are creating new possibilities and avenues of collaborative learning by transforming the traditional class and teacher-centric system. Research limitations/implications Multiplicity of the IBL platforms and rapid technological obsolesce are some of the limitations of this paper. Originality/value The findings of this study are highly useful in developing a strategic framework to accelerate the integration of IBL platforms to make teaching learning process more interactive and informative.

Project-Based Learning

2022 ◽  
pp. 242-262
Author(s):  
Laura Odila Bello Benavides ◽  
Gloria Elena Cruz Sánchez ◽  
Sandra Luz Meza Mesa Ortiz
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Higher Education ◽  
Training Program ◽  
Higher Education Institutions ◽  
Project Based Learning ◽  
Climate Change Education ◽  
Complex Process ◽  
Continuous Support ◽  
Adaptation And Mitigation

This chapter presents the results and analysis of the design and development of a training program in climate change education (CCE) aimed at teachers of Normal colleges in Mexico (i.e., higher education institutions dedicated to the training of basic, preschool, primary, and secondary education). Its purpose was to incorporate CCE in the Normal colleges of the State of Veracruz, Mexico; it was materialized with a course workshop and follow-up actions in the implementation of CCE practices. The training proposal is based on the articulation of two conceptual axes: multidisciplinary knowledge on climate change and CCE approaches aimed at managing adaptation and mitigation response actions. From the systematization and analysis of the program, the authors concluded that the incorporation of the CCE as a transversal axis is a complex process that demands broader training processes and continuous support.

scholarly journals Participation of students in the project Valorbio

2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (2) ◽  
pp. 244-263 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dina M.R. Mateus ◽  
Henrique J.O. Pinho ◽  
Isabel M.D.P. Nogueira ◽  
Manuel A.N.H. Rosa ◽  
Marco A.M. Cartaxo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Solid Waste ◽  
Experimental Work ◽  
Research Team ◽  
Project Based Learning ◽  
Sustainable Growth ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Modular Systems ◽  
Industrial Sectors

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to describe the case of the Valorbio research project, in which students of different high-level programs were involved in the experimental work and in the dissemination of results in collaboration with the research team. Design/methodology/approach The inclusion in higher education curricula of content related to the sustainable development should be a preferred mechanism for the dissemination of good practices of sustainability. Another equally important way to achieve this is to involve students in research projects that seek solutions to the societal challenges related to sustainable growth. The Valorbio project aims to meet the needs for treating and reusing wastewater and solid waste. Its main goal was the development of modular systems for wastewater treatment based on constructed wetlands, exploring the possibility of the treatment systems being composed of solid waste and by-products from significant industrial sectors. Findings The students’ contribution to the research work was relevant and simultaneously allowed them to acquire skills on sustainable development. Additionally, the students contributed to the dissemination of the results. The Valorbio project can thus be considered a successful application of the concept of project-based learning (PBL), as a way to include sustainability issues content in the higher education curricula. Originality/value The applied experimental work had an original approach regarding the equipment design, the waste materials valuation, as well as the integration of waste treatment processes in the circular economy paradigm. This paper is the first reported PBL experience involving students of short-cycle technical–professional programs in partnership with first and second-level students and a research team.

Proposing Project Based Learning as an alternative to traditional ELT pedagogy at public colleges in Pakistan

2015 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 155-173 ◽  
Author(s):  
Munawer Sultana ◽  
Sajida Zaki
Keyword(s):  
Tertiary Education ◽  
Language Teaching ◽  
Further Education ◽  
Project Based Learning ◽  
Public Colleges ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Post Test ◽  
Prescribed Curriculum ◽  
Teaching Learning ◽  
Traditional Pedagogy

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to study the effectiveness of Project Based Learning (PBL) in comparison to the prevailing English language pedagogy. Design/methodology/approach – The pre-test/post-test experimental design with one control and one treatment group was used to complete the study that was carried out for 12 weeks. In all, 140 female students enrolled in Grade-XI at a public college in Karachi, Pakistan, were randomly divided into the two groups to compare the traditional pedagogy with the proposed PBL method. The participants in the experiment and control groups were taught the same prescribed curriculum using the PBL and traditional pedagogy, respectively. Findings – The study shows PBL to be a better instructional method as compared to the existing traditional pedagogy for teaching compulsory English at public colleges. The participants in the experiment group who were taught through PBL performed better on different curriculum areas as established through the pre- and post-test scores; and they were also found better motivated towards the English course. The data analyses and interpretation suggests that PBL can easily replace the conventional pedagogy and can improve compulsory English teaching – learning practices and outcomes at public colleges in Pakistan. Research limitations/implications – One major limitation was that the PBL methodology was to focus around the curriculum content; and, finally, assess students on the lines as they need preparation for the state-held end of year examinations which serve as the qualification for admission to undergraduate study at universities. The present study was carried out at just one institution comprising female only population; hence the results need validation at other institutions having male or mixed populations. The study cultivated a culture among language teachers for experimenting with different pedagogies, consequently, alongside PBL other language pedagogies may be tried to improve teaching- and learning of compulsory English. The study demonstrated that there is an interest in teachers and learners both for improving current practices and culture. Also, the required resources and that enable this desired change are available within the existing academic set up. Practical implications – This study attempts to solve a serious problem faced by teachers and learners pursuing English course at colleges. It tests out a pedagogy that teachers may adopt within the existing setups. Social implications – The students graduating from tertiary education institutes in Pakistan desperately need good language and communication skills for further education and career. Due to ineffective language teaching, these students are unable to develop the needed language skills, and consequently miss out on different opportunities. Originality/value – This paper is among the foremost experimental study undertaken to reform language teaching at public colleges in Pakistan. It proposes a practical solution to replace the traditional pedagogy and enables teachers and students to engage in teaching learning of English more meaningfully.

Cultivating interdisciplinary team creativity through an intensive design competition

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Soo Jeoung Han ◽  
Mehrangiz Abadi ◽  
Bora Jin ◽  
Jie Chen
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Process Model ◽  
Interdisciplinary Team ◽  
Interdisciplinary Teams ◽  
Project Teams ◽  
Team Process ◽  
Holistic Model ◽  
Team Creativity ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Design Competition

PurposeThe authors examined team-learning processes in short-term student project teams operating in an intensive design competition at a public university. The purpose of this paper is to explore the critical facilitators, inhibitors and processes for fostering students' creativity within interdisciplinary design teams in higher education.Design/methodology/approachThe authors used a qualitative design to explore facilitators, inhibitors and critical processes in interdisciplinary student project teams. They conducted focus group interviews with three winning interdisciplinary teams that participated in a three-day design competition and used a constant comparison to analyze the data.FindingsThe authors identified themes that contributed to creativity at the individual level, the team level and the resource level. The key findings included 12 critical team process phases to achieve one common goal.Originality/valueThe findings of the study yielded to a holistic model of interdisciplinary team development for creativity. Implications for educators and practitioners and suggestions for researchers to expand the interdisciplinary team process model were discussed to facilitate interdisciplinary team creativity in higher education.

Transition to online higher education during COVID-19 pandemic: turmoil and way forward to developing country of South Asia-Nepal

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 93-111 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dhruba Kumar Gautam ◽  
Prakash Kumar Gautam
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Exploratory Research ◽  
Online Classes ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Technological Support ◽  
Online Mode ◽  
Online Higher Education ◽  
The Future ◽  
Teaching Learning ◽  
Future Path

PurposeEvery day thousands of academic institutes suspend their classes and students are staying in their home maintaining social distancing due to the fear of COVID-19 pandemic and Nepal is no exception. Realizing these facts, this study aims to explore the factors for the effectiveness of online mode of classes to on-class course-based students and analyzes the perception of faculties and students toward online mode during the COVID-19 pandemic.Design/methodology/approachIt is based on exploratory research design, following mixed methods of qualitative and quantitative procedure. To build a rich understanding of the phenomenon, three-stage data collection procedure: preliminary interview, structural survey and validation were used.FindingsThis study revealed triplet factors: infrastructure, student and teacher as antecedents of effectiveness of online classes during a pandemic. Technological support, infrastructure availability, faculty and students' perception have a significant relationship for the effectiveness of the online mode of the teaching-learning process. Students faced anxiety during the COVID-19 pandemic, but a higher willingness to learn reduces the level of anxiety.Originality/valueThis study significantly contributes to the future management of higher education and digs the future path of online and on-class teaching-learning practices.

Practice-based learning in the Tequila industry: the business school goes out of the classroom

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 305-318 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ruben Toledano-O’Farrill
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Business School ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Small And Medium Enterprises ◽  
Learning Experience ◽  
Education Institution ◽  
Project Based Learning ◽  
Organizational Capabilities ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Medium Enterprises

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to present the methodology and results of practice-based learning in the Business School of a higher education institution (HEI) in Mexico, with a focus on students’ participation and learning experience. Design/methodology/approach This research is a descriptive and qualitative analysis of six team experiences within a larger project developed through university–business partnership with the aim of helping develop organizational capabilities of small and medium enterprises within the Tequila industry in Mexico. Findings Participation of students in project-based learning, in genuine scenarios alongside professional consultants, is an effective way to develop learning and to apply prior knowledge. Learning occurs at several levels, including developing professional knowledge, teamwork, leadership and communication skills, and to some extent consulting skills. Client organizations also develop learning in work-based learning (WBL) projects. Research limitations/implications The research methodology does not allow for generalization of the results on a large scale. Practical implications This research shows a successful instance of project- and practice-based learning that may be helpful for HEIs seeking to implement this learning methodology. Social implications There is research evidence that more students are expecting to get practice-based skills as part of their higher education training. This paper supports the argument that HEIs can develop wide scale WBL programs that have impact on students’ learning and skills development as well as on the development of host organizations. Originality/value The instance of WBL described in this research paper is unique within HEIs in Mexico.

Perception and Practices of ICT Integration in Higher Education Classroom

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 ◽  
pp. 75-88
Author(s):  
Nirmal Raj Mishra
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Group Discussion ◽  
Project Based Learning ◽  
Infrastructure Development ◽  
Ict Integration ◽  
Qualitative Research Design ◽  
Learning Techniques ◽  
Teachers And Students ◽  
Ict Tools ◽  
Teaching Learning

ICT integration in pedagogy has created the new discourse in our educational institutions. It has created the teaching learning is more challenging as well as productive. Gaining these insights, this study searched the perception and practices of ICT integration in higher education classroom and its integrating ways in teaching. This study used the qualitative research design whereas applied the phenomenological design to inquiry. For study, I selected the study area and informants through the convenient and purposive sampling respectively. The focus group discussion, in-depth interview and personal introspection helped me to understand the phenomena of ICT. The major finding is that the motivation factor is crucial for integration of ICT tools. The finding showed that ICT tools can integrate in six phases such as motivation, infrastructure development, training, bridge up, implementation, and monitoring. The ICT tools can be integrated through the brainstorming, self-presenting, collaborative, problem-based learning and project-based learning techniques/methods. The successful integration requires the support and training for the teachers and students. It always promotes the learning culture in supportive way and creates the opportunities to access in information to the users.

Financial crime investigation: an evaluation of an online training program for police

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jacqueline M. Drew ◽  
Emily Moir ◽  
Michael Newman
Keyword(s):  
Training Program ◽  
Training Programs ◽  
Online Training ◽  
Training Data ◽  
Financial Crime ◽  
Attitudinal Change ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Crime Type ◽  
Police Agencies ◽  
Crime Investigation

PurposeFinancial crime continues to represent a crime type that costs billions of dollars per year. It is likely more widespread than any other criminal offence. Despite this, it remains an area that is often ignored, or at best neglected by police. Police agencies typically fail to invest resources and training in upskilling police in financial crime investigation. The current study evaluates an agency-wide training initiative undertaken by the Queensland Police Service (QPS), Australia.Design/methodology/approachThe QPS mandated completion of an in-house online financial crime training program for all officers, up to and including the rank of senior sergeant. Matched pre- and post-training data of 1,403 officers were obtained.FindingsThe research found that police are under-trained in financial crime. The findings suggest that short online training programs can produce important improvements in knowledge and confidence in financial crime investigation. Critically, attitudes about this crime type which may be deterring officers from engaging in financial crime investigation can be improved.Originality/valueThe current research finds that police agencies need to more heavily invest in training officers to investigate financial crime and such investment will have positive outcomes. The first step involves improving knowledge, skills and attitudes towards this crime type. Further research is needed to understand why training, particularly related to attitudinal change, is more effective for different cohorts of police and how future training programs should be adapted to maximise success.

Trends and strategies towards internationalisation of higher education in India

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mona Khare
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
International Student ◽  
Sources Of Information ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Academic Factors ◽  
Secondary Sources ◽  
Internationalisation Of Higher Education ◽  
Education Hub ◽  
Internationalisation Strategies ◽  
Teaching Learning

PurposeThis study aims to explore what are the past trends in internationalisation of higher education (IoHE) in the country and how India's higher education (HE) internationalisation strategies are aligned to make India a regional education hub and a storehouse of global talent pool.Design/methodology/approachThis paper relies heavily on secondary sources of information. Document analysis and policy reviews to analyse the internationalisation strategies as well as quantitative data analysis to map the trends have been used.FindingsAt present, internationalisation in India is lopsided and may become a drain on Indian economy if not balanced soon. India is now focussing to correct its adverse inbound–outbound international student (IS) mobility in order to become attractive for international HE community; India aims to strategically “prepare to host,” which is subject to institutional abilities to implement new schemes and programmes. International credibility of Indian HE rests largely on quality augmentation.Research limitations/implicationsThe study is based purely on secondary sources. It would be interesting to augment further with primary-level interactions with both policymakers and practitioners.Practical implicationsIt is a mix of academic and non-academic factors leading to improved quality of teaching, learning and competency-building in the higher education institutions (HEIs) rather than financial doles and incentives that should draw international academics to India in order to make the global traffic two way and financially viable for the country. IoHE to become viable and financially sustainable requires more comprehensive institutional efforts and mechanisms to bring in fee-paying ISs, research grants and multinational industry endowments.Social implicationsWith more fee-paying outbound students and more non-fee-paying or highly subsidised inbound student growth, the situation is already critical in terms of financial implications. This can have long-term implications of societal divide arising out of “global academic impoverishment” of majority Indian students unless state-supported assistance to ensure equitable access to international opportunities is provided to the needy students in the country.Originality/valueThis article is an analytical update on India's HE internationalisation and can be a valuable resource for policymakers, analysts as well as researchers.

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