scholarly journals Designs for Learning: A Research Approach

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (4) ◽  
pp. 547-555
Author(s):  
Anna Åkerfeldt ◽  
Eva Svärdemo

<p style="text-align: justify;">In this article, we present some core ideas underpinning research that takes a Designs for Learning (DFL) approach guided by theoretical considerations and choices, as well as by practitioners’ challenges and inquiries. These choices shape, and are shaped by, DFL’s research goals and motives, theoretical orientation, research objectives, questions, and practitioners’ participation and ethical considerations. Further, we present and discuss how DFL as a research approach compares to other design-oriented research strategies. Even if a DFL research approach shares several similarities with other approaches of inquiry, we argue that it remains primarily oriented towards knowledge areas that relate to understanding and developing learning and teaching – both in formal education and in informal settings such as museums.</p>

2020 ◽  
Vol 1 (3) ◽  
pp. 41-69
Author(s):  
Francis Muchenje ◽  
◽  
Pedzisai Goronga

The study sought to explore students' views on the utility of non-formal education in addressing the school dropout phenomenon at secondary school level. Qualitative research approach was adopted and a case study design was utilised. The population consisted of all the students in the non-formal programme at the school from which a sample of 11 students (2 male and 9 female) was selected through purposive stratified sampling technique. Data were gathered through structured in-depth interviews and focus group discussions. Non-formal education was seen to address the school dropout phenomenon by providing school drop outs with an opportunity to continue their education and hence becomes a form of empowerment. A number of challenges such as lack of adequate tuition in some subjects, lack of conducive learning environment as well as negative perception of non-formal education held by pupils in the formal stream and community members were identified. The study recommends that the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education should review the staffing situation in schools to ensure the availability of teachers in the various subjects in the non-formal stream. Schools should make an effort to provide appropriate learning facilities for students in the nonformal stream. Furthermore, schools should conscientise their communities on the importance of non-formal education.


Author(s):  
Susan Hallam

It is debatable whether it is appropriate to assess performance in the arts. However, formal education institutions and the systems within which they operate continue to require summative assessment to take place in order to award qualifications. This chapter considers the extent to which such summative assessment systems in music determine not only what is taught but also what learners learn. The evidence suggests that any learning outcome in formal education that is not assessed is unlikely to be given priority by either learners or teachers. To optimize learning, the aims and the processes of learning, including formative, self-, and peer assessment procedures, should be aligned with summative assessment. Research addressing the roles, methods, and value of formative, self-, and peer assessment in enhancing learning is considered. A proposal is made that the most appropriate way of enhancing learning is to ensure that summative assessment procedures are authentic and have real-life relevance supporting the teaching and learning process, to ensure that learners are motivated and see the relevance of what they are learning. This might take many forms depending on musical genre, communities of practice, and the wider cultural environment.


2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 757-757
Author(s):  
Marie Boltz ◽  
Karin Wolf-Ostermann ◽  
Katie Maslow

Abstract Dementia poses a societal challenge that is life-changing not only for persons with dementia (PWD) but also for family members and friends (informal carers) directly involved in the care arrangement. Informal carers (IC) have typically poorer outcomes in terms of well-being, quality of life (QoL), health status, and use of health care resources. Dyads of PWD and IC living with dementia are characterized by strong reciprocal relationships and complex living contexts. Therefore, research should investigate home based dementia caregiving from a dyadic perspective to yield interventions that support the PWD, the IC, and the unit as a whole. However, it is an ongoing challenge to investigate dyadic needs and preferences in daily practice and develop effective interventions. Challenges are related to incomplete understanding of dyadic characteristics, attitudes and beliefs within the dyad, as well as how to adapt research approach to engage and retain the dyad in research. This international symposium will therefore address these issues. The first presentation will describe a typology of dementia care dyad characteristics and needs in Germany. The second presentation will examine the challenges and opportunities associated with recruiting and retaining dementia dyads. The third presentation will explore ethical challenges posed in communication with dyads and possible solutions for the researcher. The final presentation reports on the Meeting Centre Support Program as an example of an effective psychosocial intervention employing research strategies that transcend cultural barriers. Our discussant, Katie Maslow, will synthesize the presentations and lead a discussion of future directions for policy and practice.


2021 ◽  
Vol 17 (4) ◽  
pp. 132-167
Author(s):  
Salvatore Nizzolino ◽  
Agustí Canals

This paper discusses the educational context of social network sites (SNSs) and the manner in which they are adopted as Europeanization tools to develop the main EU education priorities. The Erasmus + (E+) context, articulated on networks of education bodies, denotes a promising ground to investigate social and digital trends emerging within institutionalized education communities. The research approach counts on a sample of 518 organizations aligned to a set of standards regulated within the institutionalized networking frame of the E+ program. Due to the compliance requirements of E+ guidelines, this work proposes a theoretical juxtaposition of the Community of Inquiry framework and the E+ framework. Final results show an EU educational trend verging to informal affordances and non-formal education features.


2019 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 140-149
Author(s):  
Indra Syah Putra ◽  
Nurmisdaramayani  Nurmisdaramayani  ◽  
Julia Satifa

The problem found in the research is that during the learning and teaching process in madrasas, the Al-Qur'an Hadith teachers have not involved students directly with the application of the digital Al-Qur'an, so students have not been trained in solving various learning problems. The unavailability of media that supports learning and teaching activities of Al-Qur'an Hadith in madrasas. This type of research is qualitative with a field research approach. Sources of data as informants are school principals and teachers of the Qur'an Hadith, data collection methods by means of observation, interviews and documentation. The results of the study found that the application of audio-visual media in Al-Quran Hadith subjects had been maximally applied in connection with the implementation of learning in the COVID-19 pandemic which required online learning and teaching activities. So, learning using audio-visual media is very appropriate to be applied in MTs. Tarbiyah Waladiyah Pulau Banyak. And the application of audio-visual media in improving the ability to understand the learning of the Qur'an and Hadith for class VII MTs students. Tarbiyah Waladiyah Pulau Banyak has been carried out well and there has been an increase since the beginning of the pre-meeting, namely the number of students who get a complete score, namely 29.7% of students who get a complete score in the field of study of the Qur'an and Hadith, at the first meeting it increases to 46% of students who complete in Al-Quran Hadith learning activities on the material to understand the short letter of the Qur'an. At the second meeting the level of completeness of students in learning the Qur'an Hadith was 78.3% of class VII MTs. Private Tarbiyah Waladiyah. Then analyzed from Meeting III, student completeness reached 100%. Keywords: Audio Visual Media, Learning Outcomes  


2017 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Virgo Agustinus Sembiring ◽  
Sofyan Cholid

<p>This study aimed to evaluate the achievements of the Urban Life Skills Education program by course institutions bridal makeup and analyze the factors that affect achievement Urban Life Skills Education program by institutions bridal makeup courses in South Tangerang city administration. Quantitative research approach is by using chi-square method. Results showed successful achievement by demonstrating the value of 95% for South Tangerang City. While the success of Makeup Bridal based Graduates Competency Standards reached 73.3% Factors that affect the achievement of program Life Skills Education Urban by course institutions bridal makeup in South Tangerang City among others Competency Standards Graduates Makeup Bride Junior and teaching and learning Non-formal Education by Life Skills Education that includes: theory, practice and education of character.</p>


2021 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 15-26
Author(s):  
Angelina Shoo ◽  
Chrispina Lekule

Family leadership is one of the vital aspects that influences and determines both the wellbeing and successful education of a girl-child. Unfortunately, the role of family leadership in ensuring girls' education is oversimplified into getting girls enrolled in school rather than warranting their perseverance in learning and successful completion. As a result, many communities in Tanzania, especially those in rural and marginalized areas are experiencing persistent girl–child school dropouts. It is against this standpoint that we sought to find out how family leadership may influence secondary school girls’ dropouts. We also explored possible measures which should be employed to eliminate girl-child school dropouts. In conducting this study, we employed a mixed research approach and convergent parallel design. We collected data through interviews and questionnaires involving 143 respondents including girl students, teachers, heads of schools, and district educational officers. Our findings from this study indicate that while the government of Tanzania has made remarkable efforts to ensure girls’ continuity and successful completion of secondary education, there are a number of factors hindering girls’ continuity and completion of secondary education. Weak family leadership, the improper raising of the children, less emphasis and interest on the importance of girls’ education, limited cooperation between family leadership were among the reason for continuous girl-child school dropout. Hence, based on our findings and the significance of girl’s education as well as the role which parents should play in ensuring girls achievement of education, we appeal to various educational leaders, to make strategic efforts in raising more awareness among rural and marginalized communities about the importance of educating girls and the role of family leadership in bringing to an end the phenomena of girl-child school dropout which is catastrophic to the long-awaited sustainable development. Moreover, we call upon all parents, to make intentional efforts in mentoring and influencing girls to strive towards achieving formal education


Author(s):  
Geraldine Lefoe ◽  
Robyn Philip ◽  
Meg O'Reilly ◽  
Dominique Parrish

<span>The ALTC Exchange (formerly the Carrick Exchange), is a national repository and networking service for Australian higher education. The Exchange was designed to provide access to a repository of shared learning and teaching resources, work spaces for team members engaged in collaborative projects, and communication and networking services. The Australian Learning and Teaching Council (ALTC) established the Exchange for those who teach, manage and lead learning and teaching in higher education. As part of the research conducted to inform the development of the Exchange, models for peer review of educational resources were evaluated. For this, a design based research approach was adopted. Findings from the literature and feedback from key practitioners and leaders within the sector are discussed in this paper. Finally, key recommendations for implementation are identified.</span>


Assessment is an important component of education especially in the context of the learning and teaching environment. In higher education, assessment is the heart of formal education. Nowadays, technology plays an important role in the assessment process. Therefore, using technology development has an impact on improving the assessment system. Focus on the using of electronic assessment (e-assessment) systems is increasingly developing at the higher education level. Technological developments have led to a shift in concepts and ways of assessing moving from face-to-face assessment to digital-based assessment, namely an end-to-end assessment process using ICT. E-assessment system is provides many benefits for the effectiveness and efficiency of learning in higher education for lecturers, students and institutions. Many e-assessment models are developed to meet various objectives, especially in the purpose of educational learning. However, there are many challenges in its process and application. This paper aims to provide an example of e-assessment system application, describe challenges in the use of e-assessment systems in higher education based on literature, journals and research results and provide recommendations on how to deal with all of these challenges so that the assessment objectives can be achieved. The method that used is to figure out and describe qualitatively. Overall conclusion is the e-assessment system has become one of the requirements in higher education with many models. There are still many questions for lecturers, students and institutions that pose challenges in the application of e-assessments related to validity and reliability, accuracy, fairness, security, infrastructure and human resources. Based on this fact then the recommendation of these challenges in the successful implementation of e-assessment in higher education are paying attention to the characteristics of e-assessment, designing assessments according the needs, and creating a complete and accessible assessment system for all.


2016 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 27
Author(s):  
Rahma Al-Mahrooqi ◽  
Faisal Al-Maamari ◽  
Christopher Denman

Textbooks are indispensable in most formal education settings. However, many teachers believe weaknesses in textbooks can result in ineffective learning and teaching. This research uses a corpus-based approach to identify issues related to vocabulary with a particular focus on English textbooks in use in Omani schools. WordSmith Tools and RANGE concordance software are used to analyze these textbooks. Findings indicate that there are irregularities in vocabulary loading and that the types, tokens, density and consistency ratio show inconsistencies. Moreover, in terms of the coverage of GSL and AWL word lists, the textbooks fall short of the ideal range of 95% to 98% coverage suggested by Nation (1990, 2001). In fact, vocabulary from large percentages of the texts are not found in any of the essential word lists. The paper suggests recommendations for consistent analysis and guidance in analyzing textbooks in order to improve their quality in terms of vocabulary introduction and loading. 


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