scholarly journals Pedagogical experiences in a virtual exchange project using high-immersion virtual reality for intercultural language learning

2021 ◽  
pp. 155-160
Author(s):  
Kristi Jauregi-Ondarra ◽  
Alice Gruber ◽  
Silvia Canto
Keyword(s):  
Virtual Reality ◽  
Focus Group ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
Target Language ◽  
Focus Group Interviews ◽  
Preliminary Results ◽  
The Social ◽  
Anxiety Levels ◽  
Group Interviews ◽  
Different Sources

Social Virtual Reality (VR) applications enable real-time interpersonal conversation and allow users to perform activities together. They have the potential of changing the ways learners practise speaking a foreign language. Following a previous study (Jauregi Ondarra, Gruber, & Canto, 2020), we designed the present study to explore how presence, immersion, and interactivity affect overall social experience. Students from Germany and the Netherlands engaged in High-immersion VR (HiVR) virtual exchange sessions, using Spanish as a lingua franca at A2 level. International dyads carried out four interaction tasks in AltspaceVR, using head-mounted devices. To examine students’ HiVR virtual exchange experiences, different sources of data were gathered: questionnaires, reflection diaries, recordings, and focus group interviews. The preliminary results, based on the surveys and reflection journals, show that students liked to use a social VR app to communicate in the target language with peers from other countries, as they felt completely immersed and co-present in the social interactive VR space. This might enhance engagement and lower anxiety levels.

scholarly journals The Phenomenon of Anti-Doping Policy Legitimacy in the Social Psychology of Sports

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 100-131
Author(s):  
D.V. Bondarev ◽  
K.A. Bochaver ◽  
V. Barkoukis
Keyword(s):  
Social Psychology ◽  
Focus Group ◽  
Focus Group Interview ◽  
Focus Group Interviews ◽  
Global System ◽  
Psychological Construct ◽  
Psychological Theories ◽  
The Social ◽  
Competitive Athletes ◽  
Group Interviews

Anti-doping represents a global system where an athlete is in the center of a control and regulations. The perception of legitimacy is important for compliance with rules and regulation within the anti-doping system. However, the concept of legitimacy in anti-doping is not sufficiently defined, which makes it difficult to develop psychodiagnostic tools for its assessment within the framework of relevant psychological theories. The aim of this study is to review psychological literature on legitimacy perception and identify a framework within which legitimacy can be studied in anti-doping area. Reviewed data were structured by three categories of legitimacy: “proper”, “just” and “appropriate” and a respective matrix for a focus group interview had been developed. Four focus-group interviews had been conducted among Russian competitive athletes (N=22). The focus-group interviews revealed three main themes: trust to anti-doping organizations, equal and transparent anti-doping rules and possibility for athletes to influence anti-doping policy. Legitimacy of anti-doping is an important psychological construct that may be operationalized through the perception that anti-doping is functioning proper, just and appropriate. In addition, athletes voiced their concerns on the transparent and equal implementation of the anti-doping rules and possibility to influence anti-doping policy.

scholarly journals LANGUAGE CAMP IN MALAYSIA: ASNAF STUDENTS’ NEEDS AND PERCEPTION

2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 287-295
Author(s):  
Nur Yasmin Khairani Binti Zakaria ◽  
Maslawati Mohamad ◽  
Fazilah Idris
Keyword(s):  
Focus Group ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
English Language ◽  
English Language Learning ◽  
Learning Context ◽  
Focus Group Interviews ◽  
Depth Analysis ◽  
Group Interviews ◽  
Addie Model

Purpose of the study: This study aims to identify Asnaf students’ needs in language learning and their perception of the implementation of the language camp module that had been developed by researchers using the ADDIE model Methodology: In-depth analysis of focus group interviews with Asnaf students was conducted, and the data obtained were analysed thematically according to several categories Main Findings and Novelty: The findings of this study revealed that students believed that their anxiety was lowered when they were given the opportunity to cooperate with their friends in a fully immersive and fun English language learning context Applications of this study: The modules and the findings of this study could be used by any English language educators to conduct English language camps especially to Asnaf children who stay in charity homes.

scholarly journals An Investigation into the Role of Tablet Devices in Facilitating Collaborative Learning in EFL Language Course

2017 ◽  
Vol 12 (04) ◽  
pp. 39 ◽  
Author(s):  
Haifa Albadry
Keyword(s):  
Collaborative Learning ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
Target Language ◽  
Focus Group Interviews ◽  
Tablet Devices ◽  
Log Files ◽  
Collaborative Interaction ◽  
Group Interviews ◽  
Potential Use

The following paper outlines research concerning the ways in which learners use tablet devices, namely the iPad device, to learn English both in and outside of the classroom and how students’ interdependence and collaborative learning may be fostered by such an approach. The study comprised of 21 Saudi university students at Dammam University, who were provided with the iPad device over a 12-week period. The potential use of the device as a mediating learning tool, in order to develop students’ collaboration and interaction, is discussed with reference to data compiled from students’ learning diaries, focus group interviews, and online log files. The results suggest tablet devices aid learning by providing meaningful opportunities to use the target language in context and encouraging collaborative interaction. The findings also indicate that various types of teacher support, as well as interaction with the teacher and other students, remain necessary alongside tablet-assisted language learning.

scholarly journals The effects of using social biographical texts of scientists on students' attitudes in science courses: A qualitative study

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Riza Salar ◽  
Ayhan Aksakalli
Keyword(s):  
Focus Group ◽  
Science Teachers ◽  
Focus Group Interviews ◽  
Science Courses ◽  
Individual Interviews ◽  
Repertory Grids ◽  
The Social ◽  
Grid Technique ◽  
Students Attitudes ◽  
Group Interviews

Biographies of scientists are often used in the teaching environment, both in textbooks and in course contents - sections from the lives of scientists are often included to encourage students to pursue and enjoy science. This research investigated the effect of social content biographical texts of scientists on students' attitudes towards science courses. The research was a mixed-method study and consisted of 51 science teachers. The participants were determined according to a convenience sampling method. Focus group interviews, repertory grid technique, and individual interviews were used to collect data in the study. Through focus group interviews with teachers, it was discussed what kind of changes biographical texts might make to students' attitudes to science. Later, 51 teachers explained the social biographical texts to their students and observed the changes in the students. Based on their observations, they scored the repertory grids. Finally, an individual interview was held with fifteen teachers. As a result, it has been determined that social biographical texts were able to increase students' interest, motivation and questioning skills, while able to decrease their anxiety.

scholarly journals Kommende pædagogers mestringer af pædagogfaglig identitet

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 23
Author(s):  
Martin Petersen
Keyword(s):  
Focus Group ◽  
Professional Identity ◽  
Personal Development ◽  
Focus Group Interviews ◽  
Core Competences ◽  
The Social ◽  
Identity Threats ◽  
Group Interviews

I seks fokusgruppeinterviews er det blevet undersøgt, hvordan kommende pædagoger mestrer trusler imod pædagogfaglig identitet. Gennem en analyse af materialet fremstår to mønstre for mestring: Et robust mønster, hvor fordringen på identitet går på personlig udvikling og bidrag til pædagogisk indsats. Og et skrøbeligt mønster, hvor en udefra pånødet fordring på kernefaglighed placerer den kommende pædagog i en krydsild af identitetstrusler med besværlige mestringer til følge. AbstractSix focus group interviews have been done to investigate, how social educators-to-be cope with threats to their professional identity. The finding is, that there are two patterns of coping: A robust pattern, where the claim to identity is about personal development and contributions to social educational endeavors. And a fragile pattern, where a claim to professional core competences imposed from the outside places the social educator to be in a crossfire of identity threats with troublesome copings as a result.

scholarly journals LEADER APPROACH IN ESTONIA: SEVEN KEY ELEMENTS IN THE LOCAL DEVELOPMENT STRATEGIES AND IN THE IMPLEMENTATION OF LEADER

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mati MÕTTE ◽  
Maret PRITS ◽  
Kersti ARO
Keyword(s):  
Focus Group ◽  
Social Innovation ◽  
Local Development ◽  
Development Strategies ◽  
Decision Makers ◽  
Focus Group Interviews ◽  
Applied Study ◽  
The Social ◽  
Group Interviews ◽  
Common Vision

The present paper focuses on the two questions concerning the strategic planning of rural development and implementation of the LEADER approach. Firstly, which of the seven key elements of the LEADER approach are valued more than others? Secondly, how does the implementation of local development strategies (LDS) through the action of projects reflect the social innovation element? The empirical study is based on assessment documents of LDS of the two funding periods and qualitative analysis of focus group interviews. The results of the study show how well the strategies entail the seven key elements during the period 2007−2013 and period 2014−2020. Also it is investigated how well the seven key principles in the LEADER approach is implemented. Through the applied study significant changes are visible, but the contents of the LDSs do not reflect all the seven key elements in the equal extent. The evaluation of the period 2007-2013 highlighted that the most attention has been given to area-based approach, also to bottom up approach and to implementation of innovative approach. The study shows weakly addressed the formulation of common vision for some sectors, but also has been difficult to give sense to the element of innovation. The output of the research is providing a suitable knowledge for decision makers to implement the key elements in the best possible way that in turn will reflect by implemented project.

scholarly journals Yükseköğretimdeki Suriyeli Sığınmacı Öğrenciler: Uyum ve Çatışma Alanları

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (12) ◽  
pp. 71-106
Author(s):  
Rukiye Çorlu ◽  
Hakan Gülerce
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Focus Group ◽  
Social Inclusion ◽  
Education Students ◽  
Focus Group Interviews ◽  
The Social ◽  
Group Interviews ◽  
Education In Turkey ◽  
The University ◽  
Academic Year

The number of Syrian students in higher education in Turkey is increasing every year. In the 2019-2020 academic year, this number has reached 37,236. During this period, Harran University ranks first among 209 universities with 2,677 Syrian students, with the highest number of Syrian students studying in the university. One of the most fundamental facts inherent in migration is the human encounter experienced by the migrants and host communities. Both communities are affected by this encounter in various ways. In this study, social inclusion problems faced by Syrian asylum seeker higher education students throughout their education and daily life have been highlighted, and an evaluation has been made on the social experiences and problems faced by Syrian students studying at Harran University. For this purpose, two focus group meetings were held, each with six participants. The data obtained from focus group interviews were analyzed within the framework of various basic problems such as acceptance, social interaction, uncertainty, foreignness, stigmatization, and marginalization. The main problem of this study is that Syrian students have a high desire to participate in society and live together, but they continue to experience problems such as marginalization, exclusion, and deprivation of psycho-social support in different ways.

scholarly journals Portraits of Graduates in Becoming Multilingual and Multicultural Citizens in the Context of Internationalization

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 116
Author(s):  
Amirullah Abduh ◽  
Karta Jayadi ◽  
Samirah Dunakhir
Keyword(s):  
Language Learning ◽  
Situational Factors ◽  
Target Language ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Focus Group Interviews ◽  
Short Period ◽  
Single Strategy ◽  
Group Interviews ◽  
Key Participants

The purpose of this paper was to investigate the portraits of graduates who have learned English as a foreign language on one hand, while maintaining Indonesian and local languages on the other. This study draws on poststructuralist notions of identity and language learning and uses a portraiture lens emphasising contexts and voice. This paper draws on data from semi-structured interviews and focus group interviews of five key participants relating their contextual backgrounds and their efforts to be bilinguals. Learning an additional language requires systemic and multifaceted overarching approaches over relatively long periods of time rather than a single strategy within a short period. These efforts have contributed them to beome multilingual and multicultural individuals.  Empirical evidence shows that situational factors such as language exposure and motivation play dominant roles to assists learners to be bilingual and biliterate individuals. The situational factors link closely to the exposure in terms of quantity and quality of experiences to the target language.  They are, nevertheless, valuable as portraits of learners.

Co-creation of social services on the example of social hackathon: The case of Estonia

2020 ◽  
pp. 002087282090413
Author(s):  
Karmen Toros ◽  
Kadri Kangro ◽  
Katri-Liis Lepik ◽  
Zsolt Bugarszki ◽  
Ingrid Sindi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Focus Group ◽  
Social Services ◽  
Social Worker ◽  
Service Users ◽  
Focus Group Interviews ◽  
Creation Process ◽  
The Social ◽  
Innovative Solutions ◽  
Way Of Thinking ◽  
Group Interviews

Drawing on three semi-structured focus group interviews with a sample of 14 social hackathon participants in southern Estonia, this article reports the findings of participants’ experiences of the co-creation process in developing new services or innovative solutions to community problems by using a method of social hackathon. In general, hackathon was perceived as a creative and ‘out-of-the-box’ type of approach, a non-traditional way of thinking and an openness to constructing solutions in a new and creative way. Furthermore, the hackathon was recognised as a fitting tool for the social worker to find solutions in the community with service users.

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