scholarly journals Alternative schooling practices in rural areas: effects on student learning, community engagement and equity.

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard Waters
Author(s):  
Rachelle Dene Poth

Studies have focused on social presence and its meaning in both traditional face-to-face classroom settings as well as an online learning environment. Technology usage is increasing in classrooms, making opportunities for learning available to many more people than in prior years. The theme of social presence continues to be studied as an important element in fostering student learning and growth. In particular, the focus is on the meaning of social presence, how to develop it as an instructor or learner in the learning community, and how social presence can positively impact all members of the learning community. The main questions that this chapter addresses are: Why study social presence? What is the meaning of social presence? What is the research behind social presence? How does an individual cultivate and project social presence in a learning environment?


2015 ◽  
Vol 71 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nico Botha

Does the current community engagement project, of the Department of Christian Spirituality, Church History and Missiology at the University of South Africa (UNISA), respond to the conceptual discourse on community engagement? Informed by this question this article’s objective is two-pronged. Firstly, an attempt is made to locate the project’s beginning in a proper historical perspective by engaging the initial ministry of the Department with homeless people. The narrative about the work of a Mennonite couple is told by structuring it around the dimensions of agency (identification or insertion), context analysis, strategies for mission and theological reflection or in simple terms, the reading of the Bible. Secondly, this article proceeds by subjecting both the initial ministry with homeless people and the community engagement project, in its current form, to the scrutiny of three high ranking publications from the Higher Education Quality Committee in collaboration with JET Education Services, the Council on Higher Education and a handbook on service learning in South Africa on the conceptual clarification of service learning and community engagement. As the documents reveal some difference of opinion amongst the experts, the bottom-line is that unless the interaction between the academy and the community (homeless people) is a consistent, sustainable, reciprocal and mutual process aimed at creating a genuine learning community, the project is called into question. A further issue is that the engagement between the parties must find reflection in what is taught – students or learners are to benefit from this – and researched.


Author(s):  
Ying Wang ◽  
Weifeng Jiang

To improve the learning effect of online learning, an online learning target automatic classification and clustering analysis algorithm based on cognitive thinking was proposed. It was applied to a multi-dimensional learning community. A new form of virtual learning community concept was proposed. The design ideas of its multi-dimensional learning environment were elaborated. Ontology technology was used to collect student learning process data. A cognitive diagnostic model for assessing student learning status was generated. Finally, through the cluster analysis technology, the registered students in the curriculum center were automatically divided into different levels of community groups. The results showed that the proposed algorithm for automatic classification and clustering of online learning targets had a good application effect in the learning community. Therefore, this method has practical application value.


2020 ◽  
pp. 1356336X2096212
Author(s):  
Antonio Calderón ◽  
Deborah Tannehill

Current cutting-edge research conveys that pedagogical change using models-based practice and integration of digital technology (DT) to enable teaching and learning is most successful when supported by a learning community. Overall, the research literature acknowledges that empowering teachers to believe in themselves and their ability to tackle these new curricular and pedagogical practices is key for successful implementation. Nevertheless, enactment of a new curriculum models (CMs)-based framework, supported by DT, has not yet been researched. Six physical education teachers with different teaching backgrounds and experience using DT for teaching and learning agreed to participate. Four phases were designed to develop teachers’ CMs pedagogical knowledge and technological pedagogical content knowledge as part of a collaborative, inquiry-oriented learning community. Individual and focus group interviews, and weekly critical friend discussions were used to gather teachers’ and students’ perceptions of their experience. Four themes reflecting phases one and two of the data appeared and evolved 18 months later and included planning, community, student learning, and the Phyz (app). The key take home message from this research highlights the power of a well-planned and structured inquiry-oriented learning community, its impact on empowering teachers to enact a new CMs-based framework, and the student learning that emerged.


2020 ◽  
Vol 102 (4) ◽  
pp. 60-61
Author(s):  
Joshua P. Starr

A superintendent’s role is often less about doing the work of educating all students than about creating conditions that enable others to do that work. This is especially true when it comes to potentially controversial efforts, such as initiatives to improve equity. In those cases, the superintendent must often serve as a buffer, protecting the principals and teachers who are implementing the agenda from those who are likely to object. PDK CEO Joshua Starr explains how superintendents can serve as buffers in the areas of teaching and learning, community engagement, policy, and resource allocation.


2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (6) ◽  
pp. 1
Author(s):  
André Moulakdi ◽  
Yamina Bouchamma

The professional learning community (PLC) is considered to be an effective school improvement strategy centered on student achievement. The goal of this study was to introduce the PLC approach in a few public elementary schools in Cameroon to evaluate the causal impact of this organizational model on student learning. A quasi-experimental approach was used involving an experimental group and a control group. Student pre- and post-tests were administered in two core subjects (French and mathematics) at both the beginning and the end of the first year of operation as a PLC. Our findings show a significant improvement in the students’ results between the pre- and post-test. The PLC was qualified as being in its initiation stage of development, when members focus on their students’ outcomes and collectively engage in solving the latter’s learning-related difficulties.


2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 144-160
Author(s):  
Daniel Twesige ◽  
Faustin Gasheja ◽  
Kadhafi Isae Misago ◽  
Eugen Muvunyi

The coronavirus pandemic has not only challenged health systems, buthas also had a significant impact on education systems across the globe.This study analysed COVID-19’s impact on the student learning processin Higher Education Institutions in Rwanda. A quantitative research designwas adopted and pragmatism was selected as the research philosophy.Primary data was collected from 1 170 students in 30 institutions using aclosed-ended questionnaire. The data was analysed using descriptive andinferential statistical tools. The results indicate that the pandemic has led tochanges in the academic calendar, suspension of examinations, and final yearstudents being unable to conduct research and serve internships. Ithas also affected the quality of learning and learning from peers due tosocial distancing. Students in rural areas and those from vulnerable familieshave been worst affected. Key words: COVID-19, learning, higher education institutions, onlinelearning, students


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