Current teaching methods in STEM departments – A road map for fundamental university educational reform: evidence from Lebanon

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mira Sabat ◽  
Roula M. Abdel-Massih ◽  
Amjad Kanaan ◽  
Sara Salloum ◽  
Mireille Serhan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Active Learning ◽  
Educational Reform ◽  
Teaching Methods ◽  
Faculty Members ◽  
Academic Institution ◽  
University Management ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Road Map ◽  
Scientific Teaching ◽  
The University

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to: (1) explore existing practices of STEM faculty at a private Lebanese university and (2) assess the extent of implementation of active learning among faculty members of selected STEM departments.Design/methodology/approachThe Working Group on “Integrating Modern Scientific teaching methodologies in STEM” (IM-STEM) at a tertiary university in Lebanon advocates for novel research-based methods to enhance STEM education. This pilot study investigated, using a modified version of the Wieman and Gilbert “Teaching Practices Inventory”, the current teaching methods used by faculty members in selected STEM departments.FindingsRemarkably, most respondents admit a willingness to incorporate new teaching methods. Main findings indicate that traditional teaching via didactic lecturing remains prevalent in the STEM classrooms at the tertiary academic institution in Lebanon despite sporadic individual efforts by faculty members to utilize unconventional methods and active learning.Research limitations/implicationsOne major limitation that influenced the efficiency of this study is the small number of respondents (71 faculty members). More in-depth data collection combining quantitative and qualitative data should be done in future studies.Practical implicationsGaining insight into the actual methods used in STEM fields in various departments can help the university management to better understand the key importance of educational reform.Originality/valueThe main value of this paper is to serve as a prelude for educational reform at a tertiary academic institution.

iMindMap as an innovative tool in teaching and learning accounting: an exploratory study

2016 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 71-82 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wan Noor Hazlina Wan Jusoh ◽  
Suraya Ahmad
Keyword(s):  
Technology Acceptance ◽  
Teaching Methods ◽  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
Accounting Students ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Course Content ◽  
University Of Technology ◽  
Conventional Teaching ◽  
Innovative Tool ◽  
The University

Purpose The purpose of this study is to explore the use of iMindMap software as an interactive tool in the teaching and learning method and also to be able to consider iMindMap as an alternative instrument in achieving the ultimate learning outcome. Design/methodology/approach Out of 268 students of the management accounting at the University of Technology MARA (Terengganu), 97 students have participated in this survey to evaluate the effectiveness of iMindMap in teaching and learning. Findings Results indicate that the majority of the students acknowledged that iMindMap is more attractive than conventional teaching methods and found that iMindMap shows clearly how the points are all associated and linked together. Students could find that learning is an exciting experience and were able to visualize the whole course content remarkably via iMindMap. Originality/value This study presents an alternative instrument, which is innovative and interactive in teaching and learning, especially for accounting students where the students’ technology acceptance could also be viewed.

Quality assurance systems: enemies or allies of innovation in higher education institutions?

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mariana Ferreira de Mello Silva ◽  
Eduardo Raupp de Vargas
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Quality Assurance ◽  
Literature Review ◽  
Higher Education Institutions ◽  
University Management ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Body Of Knowledge ◽  
The University ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Innovation In Higher Education

Purpose This study aims to examine the extant literature to analyze the relationship between quality assurance (QA) and innovation in the higher education context. Design/methodology/approach This study selected 63 articles through a systematic literature review in Scopus and Web of Science databases and performed a descriptive and thematic synthesis-analysis on the sample. Findings The research identifies several perspectives discussed on QA systems covering experiences, criticisms and practice implications. The literature review shows there is no clear consensus on whether innovation in higher education institutions (HEIs) is fostered or hindered by QA processes. However, it seems that the likelihood of innovativeness and positive QA outcomes are directly linked to how these processes are managed in universities. Research limitations/implications This review highlights the university management concerns that emerge with QA issues as it is not yet clear to what extent innovation is actually promoted in scenarios where QA is applied. Hence, this literature review could be considered comprehensive but not exhaustive. Further studies are recommended to improve the understanding of how HEIs can both innovate and ensure quality at the same time. Originality/value The paper contributes to the existing body of knowledge by advancing the opportunities and challenges that HEIs face due to QA system features.

Impact of personal and organizational factors on knowledge sharing attitude of university teachers in Pakistan

2020 ◽  
Vol 38 (2) ◽  
pp. 317-336 ◽  
Author(s):  
Javaria Javaid ◽  
Saira Soroya ◽  
Khalid Mahmood
Keyword(s):  
Knowledge Sharing ◽  
Organizational Factors ◽  
Education Institution ◽  
Faculty Members ◽  
Teaching Staff ◽  
Personal Factors ◽  
Design Strategies ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The University ◽  
The Impact

Purpose The purpose of this study is to examine the attitude of faculty members towards knowledge-sharing in the University of Education, Lahore. The impact of personal and organizational factors that may contribute to effective knowledge-sharing among the university’s teaching staff is also analyzed. The factors affecting the willingness of the faculty members to share knowledge are broadly classified as “organizational” and “personal” factors. Design/methodology/approach A questionnaire-based survey was conducted on permanent teaching staff working at different campuses of the University of Education all over the province of Punjab, Pakistan. The survey instrument for this study was adapted from four studies. The questionnaires were distributed among 246 faculty members personally. Findings The findings of the study showed that the faculty members were familiar with the importance of knowledge-sharing and were also interested in sharing their knowledge and expertise with others. The results showed that organizational factors (trust, reward system and organizational culture) played a vital role in enhancing the knowledge-sharing attitude of faculty members. The impact of these factors on knowledge-sharing attitude was significant. Originality/value This is the very first study which explored the personal and organizational factors of knowledge-sharing in a specific academic institution from Pakistan. The findings of the research provided useful insights to the management of the University of Education particularly and other universities in general to design strategies for enhancing knowledge-sharing culture in the higher education institution. These findings may also be helpful for other developing countries.

Reconciling COVID-19 pandemic budget deficits through furloughs and salary reductions

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Minnette A. Bumpus
Keyword(s):  
Organizational Behavior ◽  
The State ◽  
Faculty Members ◽  
Budget Deficits ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Secondary Sources ◽  
News Reports ◽  
Academic Level ◽  
The Right ◽  
The University

Theoretical basis The primary topics, in this case, align well with social processes relative to communication and decision-making, and with individual processes relative to fairness in the workplace. Research methodology The case was developed from secondary sources. The secondary sources included news reports, and university sources (i.e. e-mails, announcements, reports, town hall meetings). This descriptive case has been classroom tested in an undergraduate organizational behavior course. Case overview/synopsis On September 10, 2020, the president of Bowie State University, Dr Aminta H. Breaux, announced that the university needed to “take a number of steps, including a temporary salary reduction plan, to close the FY21 funding gap and position the university for continued budget challenges” (Exhibit 1) triggered by the economic impact of COVID-19 on the state of Maryland. Some of the faculty members’ reactions to this announcement included shock and disappointment. Reflecting on what led to the state appropriation reductions, why would faculty members be shocked by President Breaux’s announcement of temporary salary reductions? Did President Breaux make the right decision, and was it communicated appropriately? Complexity academic level This descriptive case is most appropriate for undergraduate level organizational behavior courses.

The role of digital scholarship in academic libraries, the case of university of cape coast: opportunities and challenges

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Theophilus Kwamena Ocran ◽  
Paulina Afful-Arthur
Keyword(s):  
Learning Style ◽  
Academic Libraries ◽  
Academic Library ◽  
Faculty Members ◽  
Teaching Staff ◽  
Cape Coast ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Digital Scholarship ◽  
The University

PurposeThe purpose of the study is to assess the role of academic libraries in digital scholarship at the University of Cape Coast. The study adopted the descriptive survey design and used teaching staff (lecturers) as the population of the study.Design/methodology/approachA sample size of 278 was used for the study. The study used questionnaires to obtain data from participants. The study revealed that faculty members appreciate digital scholarship through the services offered by Sam Jonah Library are relevant to the current higher education context, reliable information, preservation of information resources and facilitating the integration of library services into the learning process are closely integrated into the library service, transform scholarly communication, teaching and learning style and research paradigm.FindingsThe study revealed that digital scholarship contributes to faculty members' delivery at the University of Cape Coast through the provision of information literacy training for new students, provision of reference lists of materials available in the library and provision of lists of new materials. The study revealed that faculty members face inadequate facilities to enhance digital scholarship, inadequate open access to reading materials (articles, books, etc.), inadequate platforms or suite of tools for librarians to take faculty.Practical implicationsThe application of digital scholarship provides an expansion to the core competitiveness of librarians new services which enables innovativeness and transformation of libraries. Students will be equipped with digital literacy skills; it affords instructors to approach teaching with innovation and scholars are also engaged to perform novel practices in scholarship acquisition. Digital scholarship is the umbrella under which all academic technologies comes under to foster collaboration and better learning experience.Originality/valueThis paper offers an insight of the role digital scholarship in promoting and advancing scholarship in the academic environment. It highlights a number of digital scholarship platform available in the library. It is observed that digital scholarship practices must be encouraged in the library because it facilitates the role of academic library which is to support teaching, learning and research.

The governance of organizational learning

2017 ◽  
Vol 24 (5) ◽  
pp. 266-277 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sabine Lauer ◽  
Uwe Wilkesmann
Keyword(s):  
Organizational Learning ◽  
Research Question ◽  
Management Tool ◽  
Double Loop ◽  
Intellectual Stimulation ◽  
University Management ◽  
Teaching Excellence ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Double Loop Learning ◽  
The University

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to link two modes of governance (transactional and transformational) to organizational learning by examining the example of academic teaching. Consequently, the “transformational” strategies of best practices that have been used by German universities to achieve teaching excellence are interpreted as double-loop learning. In delineating two exemplary cases of double-loop learning concerning the university-wide implementation of a new teaching formats as part their institutional strategies to develop teaching excellence, the authors want to answer the following research question: Which kind of governance is required to manage double-loop learning processes? Design/methodology/approach The purposive sample comprised four universities that had won awards for their teaching excellence. In 2014, a total of 21 semi-structured expert interviews were conducted in these universities within the following status groups: members of the rectorate, full professors, and university management professionals. The coding procedure followed a directed content analysis. Findings Both forms of governance are required for the management of double-loop learning. In the case of a top-down instigation of organizational learning, transformational governance is especially required in terms of idealized influence and inspirational motivation. In the case of a more bottom-up trigger of organizational learning, intellectual stimulation becomes more important. Transactional governance is required for the university-wide implementation of new routines (e.g. a mandatory quality management tool, obligatory coaching for newly appointed professors or competitive teaching grants). Originality/value This paper contributes to the empirical research on organizational learning in higher education institutions by adding a governance perspective.

“Is an accreditation seal worth the effort?”

2014 ◽  
Vol 22 (3) ◽  
pp. 226-239 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hanna Niemelä ◽  
Taija Okkola ◽  
Annikka Nurkka ◽  
Mikko Kuisma ◽  
Ritva Tuunila
Keyword(s):  
Questionnaire Survey ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Accreditation Process ◽  
Teaching Staff ◽  
University Management ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Engineering Degree ◽  
University Of Technology ◽  
Accreditation Agency ◽  
The University

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to present observations of a EUR-ACE accreditation process in a Finnish university. The study demonstrates the effects (benefits, effort and resources required) of accreditation as seen by the university management and teaching staff. Design/methodology/approach – The material of the study was gathered by conducting an interview and questionnaire survey after the accreditation processes of six degree programmes at Lappeenranta University of Technology, Finland, in 2011. Findings – Besides certain shared views, the survey reveals some differences in opinions between the university management and the teaching staff: The management at all levels of the university valued the significance of accreditations somewhat higher than the teaching staff. Most of the interviewees found that accreditations have had an important effect on the curriculum work and thereby on the development of teaching and education. However, the effects on single courses were considered less significant. Research limitations/implications – The study focuses on one university with a limited number of responses and one accreditation agency only (ASIIN, Germany). Originality/value – The engineering degree programmes were the first ones to obtain a EUR-ACE accreditation both in Finland and in the Nordic countries. Thus, the results have a novelty value for Nordic universities and stakeholders in the education sector.

scholarly journals Dynamic clustering to evaluate satisfaction with teaching at university

2018 ◽  
Vol 32 (6) ◽  
pp. 1070-1081
Author(s):  
Francesca Bassi
Keyword(s):  
Latent Class ◽  
Markov Models ◽  
Teaching Quality ◽  
University Management ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The University ◽  
Students Satisfaction ◽  
Class Models ◽  
Over Time

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to measure students’ satisfaction with the didactics in a large Italian university, that of Padua, giving special attention to its evolution over time in consecutive academic years. The overall level of the quality of the didactics is examined and its change over time is modeled. Moreover, the effect of courses’ and teachers’ variables on it is estimated.Design/methodology/approachLatent cluster class models and mixture latent class Markov models are estimated in order to identify groups of courses that are homogeneous for the level of the quality of the didactics. Evolution over the three academic years of satisfaction is monitored. The effect on the clustering and its dynamics of potential covariates is also examined.FindingsResults of model estimation reveal some interesting evidences that are important indications for the university management to define targeted strategies to elevate teaching quality.Originality/valueThe paper gives its original contribution both on the side of methods applied to analyze data collected with students evaluation of teaching and on the evidences obtained for a large university.

Mobile phone messaging to increase communication and collaboration within the university community

2019 ◽  
Vol 36 (8) ◽  
pp. 7-11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tashfeen Ahmad
Keyword(s):  
Mobile Phone ◽  
Undergraduate Students ◽  
Mobile Phones ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
University Management ◽  
University Administrators ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The University ◽  
University Community

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to share a lecturer’s viewpoint on using mobile phone messaging tools to increase levels of cooperation and collaboration with students and the wider university community. Design/methodology/approach In all, 145 undergraduate students from a Caribbean university were asked how often do they check their mobile phone for text/voice messages per day and when do they turn off their mobile phones. These two questions were asked to understand how engaged students are with their mobile phones. Findings The findings are that students are very engaged with their mobile phones. Students check their mobile phones for text/voice messages multiple times every day. Of the 145 participants in this research, 66.84 % never turned off their mobile phones during the week and carry their phones everywhere, including classrooms. Originality/value This is the first study to examine how often this university’s students’ check their mobile phone for text/voice messages per day and when do they turn off their mobile phones. These findings will help lecturers and university management in understanding students’ engagement with their mobile phone in this university. This study confirms heavy engagement of students with their phones. Lecturers and university administrators can now consider ways in which mobile phone messaging tools can be used to increase levels of communication and collaboration with students and wider university community.

The use of academic libraries in turbulent times

2018 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
pp. 40-52 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karin de Jager ◽  
Mary Nassimbeni ◽  
William Daniels ◽  
Alexander D’Angelo
Keyword(s):  
Student Performance ◽  
Data Warehouse ◽  
Academic Library ◽  
Critical Time ◽  
Final Examination ◽  
University Management ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Examination Period ◽  
Library Use ◽  
The University

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore how an innovation in the University Management Information System was leveraged to incorporate library data by an initially sceptical strategic management team. The rationale was to extract evidence of correlations between library use and student achievement. This kind of information is of particular interest to the institution, which is at present dealing with crises popularly summarised in the slogan “#FeesMustFall” among students who suffer from the effects of poverty and exclusion in higher education. Comment is offered on some of the relationships between student library behaviour before, during and after the nationwide disruptions that destabilised universities and threatened their survival at the end of 2016, just before the final examination period. Design/methodology/approach Data were extracted from the data warehouse from the comparative demographic perspectives of students’ degrees of disadvantage in an effort to uncover any hitherto hidden patterns of library use. Findings The use of the library as expressed by footfall and loans was mapped against students’ pass rates and their collective GPA, indicating that increased library use correlates positively with better academic performance. Some of the initial correlations between student library behaviour before, during and after the nationwide disruptions that destabilised universities and threatened their survival at the end of 2016 just before the final examination period are explored. The effects that library closures (under threat of damage) at a critical time in the academic year might have had on library use and on student performance are interrogated. Practical implications Students on financial aid, which was used as an indicator of disadvantage, come from schools and environments where access to information technology and libraries is very limited, so that library habits are either poorly established or not at all. At the University of Cape Town (UCT), considerable support is in place for students to encourage the development of library habits. An analysis of available data indicates that students who have acquired library habits regardless of unfavourable financial circumstances do not exhibit behaviour and academic outcomes markedly different from that of their more privileged peers. Originality/value Combining library data with data from the university data warehouse is a new approach in South Africa. It is an approach that is of value both to the library and the institution at large and has brought meaningful insights into the role the academic library might be seen to play in promoting student academic achievement.

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