scholarly journals Exploring the influence of the curriculum on student learning in culturally and ethnically diverse classroom contexts: Praxis, paradoxes and perspectives of stakeholders

2019 ◽  
Vol 24 (2) ◽  
pp. 53-64
Author(s):  
Ganga B. Gurung ◽  
David Moltow ◽  
Peter Brett
Keyword(s):  
Student Learning ◽  
Ethnically Diverse ◽  
School Curriculum ◽  
Classroom Context ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Diverse Classroom ◽  
Qualitative Research Design ◽  
Perceptions Of Students

This paper explores the perceptions and lived experiences of Nepalese educators and stakeholders in relation to the school curriculum and its influence upon student learning in a culturally and ethnically diverse classroom context. The study adopted a qualitative research design using face-to-face semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions to gather the perceptions of students, teachers, school principals and curriculum experts from three different schools representing distinct and diverse Nepalese settings. The findings identified that there are six main factors that affect curriculum delivery in Nepal: a centralised education system; social, economic and cultural diversity; political instability; curriculum content; the involvement of curriculum development stakeholders; and teachers’ content and pedagogical knowledge and related attributes. These six factors all contribute to a significant influence on student learning.

scholarly journals Identifying additional selection criteria for physiotherapy students in Zambia

2000 ◽  
Vol 56 (3) ◽  
pp. 8-11
Author(s):  
E. M. Nkandu
Keyword(s):  
Qualitative Research ◽  
Academic Performance ◽  
Data Collection ◽  
Selection Criteria ◽  
Selection Process ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Academic Variables ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Qualitative Research Design ◽  
Physiotherapy Students

The purpose of this study was to investigate additional factors that should be included in the selection process of physiotherapy students in Zambia. A qualitative research design was chosen. Focused group discussions and semi-structured interviews were used for data collection purposes. The results of the study showed that besides pre-selection achievement, a number of non-academic variables should be included in the selection process of students because of their potential to influence academic performance.

scholarly journals The Effect of the Covid‑19 Pandemic on Students and the Living and Learning Spaces at a South African University

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 93-106
Author(s):  
Blessing Kanyumba ◽  
Nondumiso Shabangu
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
South Africa ◽  
Qualitative Research ◽  
Online Learning ◽  
Student Learning ◽  
South African ◽  
Research Design ◽  
Learning Spaces ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Qualitative Research Design

In March 2020, the South African President Mr Cyril Ramaphosa announced a national lockdown due to the rising cases of the Covid‑19 pandemic. As a result, some of the higher education institutions closed under lockdown level 5 and strategies had to be developed to adapt to the “new norm”. Consequently, students and the living and learning spaces in South Africa were affected, necessitating therefore that transformation in all spheres takes place. This study, through a qualitative research design, investigated the effect of Covid‑19 on students and the living and learning spaces at a selected university in South Africa. Fifteen students and ten Residence Advisors (RAs) were telephonically interviewed. The results revealed that the living and learning spaces had been significantly transformed by the Covid‑19 pandemic. The operations of these spaces had been compelled to change in order to comply with the Covid‑19 regulations, such that student learning was shifted from face-to-face to online learning. This meant more time spent indoors, stricter measures now in place and the RA roles having been broadened to ensure that they also monitor compliance. The study also noted that even after the pandemic, things will still take time to get back to normal. This article concludes that Covid‑19 has had a huge effect on the living and learning spaces as well as students at the selected university and that both students and staff should play their roles effectively to ensure that everyone remains safe.

scholarly journals An investigation into the commercialisation of initiation schools: A case of Eastern Cape, South Africa

2021 ◽  
Vol 77 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Tsetselelani D. Mdhluli ◽  
Pfarelo E. Matshidze ◽  
Stewart L. Kugara ◽  
Lucky Vuma ◽  
Joshua Mawere
Keyword(s):  
Cultural Practice ◽  
Eastern Cape ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Unemployed People ◽  
Original Intent ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Secondary Sources ◽  
Qualitative Research Design ◽  
Financial Gain ◽  
Unethical Practices

This study investigated the commercialisation of initiation schools. It is argued that the economic hardships and lack of employment have led to some people resorting to any way of living merely for financial gain. The specific objectives were to determine and assess the regulations that govern the opening and running of initiation schools and to determine the palliatives that can curb commercialisation of initiation schools. The research was based on sociocultural theory and used a qualitative research design. The data collection methods used included secondary sources, focus group discussions and face-to-face interviews. The outcomes were that initiation schools are open to abuse by opportunistic unemployed people and some who are employed who want to add to their meagre wages so as to make a living, thereby crippling and undermining a cultural practice that is highly esteemed. The study recommends effective indigenous knowledge management to curb the unethical practices of commercialisation of initiation schools. Furthermore, strategies should be adopted to document this knowledge and formulate policies that will govern it.Contribution: In line with the journal scope, this article focuses on the African Tradition Religion practice of initiation schools. This subject matter is multi-disciplinary and it covers how the sacred practice has been defiled through commersialisation and deviation from its original intent.

New Zealand venture capital funds and access to new financing: an exploratory study

2014 ◽  
Vol 26 (3) ◽  
pp. 196-225 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sujit Kalidas ◽  
Andrew Kelly ◽  
Alastair Marsden
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Venture Capital ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Early Stage ◽  
Equity Capital ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Fund Managers ◽  
Qualitative Research Design

Purpose – This paper aims to explore the challenges the Venture Capital (VC) funds industry in New Zealand (NZ) faces when sourcing new capital. In NZ, there is a significant gap currently for companies seeking VC funding of between $2 and $10 million to commercialise new products and ideas. Also, the estimated financing needs of the next generation of early stage NZ enterprises are around $2 billion of investment over the next 10 years (NZVIF, 2011). Design/methodology/approach – A qualitative research design is applied, given the exploratory nature of this research. In this study, 15 face-to-face semi-structured interviews with VC fund managers, investors and intermediaries were undertaken. Findings – The findings suggest that the lack of observable proven historical returns from NZ domiciled VC funds is a significant impediment to raising new equity capital. Fund managers and intermediaries also note that there is a lack of domestic entities in NZ that have the capacity and current appetite to invest in VC. In part, this may indicate that VC investors are unwilling to invest further capital in NZ VC funds until the current funds realise their existing investments. Originality/value – Overall our findings support recent initiatives by the NZ VC funds industry to track and monitor the performance of NZ VC funds.

scholarly journals Nation Media Group and ‘The Truth’: How the firm’s slogan shapes its newspapers’ financial news gathering

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark Kapchanga
Keyword(s):  
Qualitative Research ◽  
Informed Consent ◽  
Research Design ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Financial News ◽  
Related Information ◽  
Qualitative Research Design ◽  
Media Group

The study used qualitative research design where semi-structured interviews were conducted through face-to-face, telephone and Skype. Informed consent was obtained from the respondents after having received and understood all the study-related information. The data was gathered for three months and covered Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania. The research used referral sampling, involving 120 reporters and editors who handle financial news.

scholarly journals E - Learning during Covid-19 – Perspectives of Academics in a Crisis

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (12) ◽  
pp. 564-576
Author(s):  
Remigio Chingara ◽  
Piet Muparuri ◽  
Denias Muzenda
Keyword(s):  
Administrative Support ◽  
Learning Technologies ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Case Study Methodology ◽  
Learning And Teaching ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Qualitative Research Design ◽  
The People ◽  
E Learning ◽  
The Cost

This study offers insights into how e learning, can be sustained in universities in developing countries, using a minimalist approach, during a crisis such as Covid-19. The banning of face-to-face classroom teaching in Zimbabwean universities and the adoption of e learning motivated it. Whilst this was unexpected, unprepared for, with no precedent or blue print, very few studies appear to pay attention to the perspectives of the academics - the people who are doing the teaching of the students and from a developing country perspective. Apparently, those studies that have been conducted to date are largely quantitative and appear to concentrate on the perspectives of students. To address this gap, this study explores how academics at one school and in one department at a university in Masvingo province of Zimbabwe were teaching their students, the challenges they were encountering and the opportunities that were presenting themselves. The researchers adopted a qualitative research design, using a case study methodology, with a sample of eighteen (18) purposively selected participants (lecturers). The study used semi-structured interviews to collect data, using WhatsApp because of the imposed lockdown restrictions. Findings reveal that lecturers at this university were using only a few communication applications to teach their students. They cite challenges of the cost of connectivity as well as lack of administrative support as impediments to e learning and teaching. They however highlight training in e-learning technologies and provision of data as opportunities that have arisen.

Is it face time or structure and accountability that matter? Moving from a flipped to a flipped/hybrid classroom

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kara Diane Smith
Keyword(s):  
Student Learning ◽  
Flipped Classroom ◽  
Learning Experience ◽  
Individual Student ◽  
Classroom Context ◽  
Final Exam ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Class Time ◽  
Face Time

PurposeThis research examines whether a shift to a hybrid classroom, which replaces some face-to-face classroom time with online instruction, adversely affects student learning if the structure and incentives that are characteristic of a flipped classroom are already in place.Design/methodology/approachThis study features a quantitative analysis of individual student data collected over multiple sections of a single course with the same instructor. In all seven sections, over two semesters, principles of microeconomics used a flipped classroom format that features preclass video lectures, daily quizzes and highly interactive class time. In three of the seven sections, the time spent in class was reduced by one-third. For this experiment, student scores on the cumulative final exam evaluate student learning. Students took a survey at the end of the semester to provide feedback on time use during the course and to make observations about the class format.FindingsResults from this study suggest that despite accountability for the work done outside of class, students score 4.4% points lower on the final exam in the class format that features reduced face-to-face time. However, student comments also suggest that this is a worthwhile tradeoff as they balance work, internships and other nonacademic demands on their time. Student evaluations of the course and instructor are statistically unchanged.Practical implicationsEfficiency in educational delivery is an ongoing concern for students and faculty. This research demonstrates that a classroom that is both flipped and hybrid makes better use of student and faculty time, provides a richer learning experience and only modestly reduces student learning. It is notable that students report a preference for the hybrid classroom model, despite modestly lower levels of learning.Originality/valueWhile research has been done on flipped and hybrid classrooms separately, this is the first paper to isolate the effect of seat time within the flipped classroom context. This research addresses the flipped classroom design's ability to mitigate the documented reduction in student learning that often results from reduced class time or an increase in online learning.

LEARNING FROM THE PAST: THE USEFULNESS AND CHALLENGES OF ONLINE LEARNING

2021 ◽  
Vol 1 (4) ◽  
pp. 315-320
Author(s):  
Ida Bagus Nyoman Mantra ◽  
I Gusti Ayu Putu Tuti Indrawati ◽  
I Nyoman Suwandi ◽  
Ni Luh Sukanadi ◽  
Anak Agung Rai Laksmi
Keyword(s):  
Online Learning ◽  
Teaching Methods ◽  
Descriptive Analysis ◽  
Learning Activity ◽  
Classroom Observations ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Online Classroom ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
The Past ◽  
Qualitative Research Design

Recently online learning has been developed widely in Indonesia and most of the education institutions implemented online learning during the covid-19 pandemic. The purpose of online learning is to facilitate communication in the delivery of teaching materials in the field of education that is carried out remotely. It is generally intended for non-face-to-face teaching methods. This study was conducted to investigate the usefulness and the challenges encountered by the teachers in implementing online learning. This study made use of qualitative research design with descriptive analysis and to collect the data semi-structured interviews and online classroom observations were conducted to collect valid and reliable data. This study found that there was the usefulness of online learning which benefits students to improve their competence and also there were a number of challenges encountered by the teachers. Therefore, this study implies that teachers should acknowledge the challenges of online learning to create a better online learning activity.

Perceived unmet needs of informal caregivers of people with dementia in Singapore

2013 ◽  
Vol 25 (10) ◽  
pp. 1605-1619 ◽  
Author(s):  
Janhavi Ajit Vaingankar ◽  
Mythily Subramaniam ◽  
Louisa Picco ◽  
Goi Khia Eng ◽  
Saleha Shafie ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Financial Support ◽  
Unmet Needs ◽  
Informal Caregivers ◽  
Information Access ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Financial Barriers ◽  
Qualitative Research Design ◽  
People With Dementia ◽  
Physical Burden

ABSTRACTBackground:This study aimed to explore the experiences and challenges of informal caregivers in Singapore with the intent of identifying the multi-dimensional unmet needs from their perspective and generating caregivers’ needs checklist based on the findings.Methods:Informal caregivers were relatives of people with dementia and were responsible for organizing care and providing regular physical and/or financial support. Using a qualitative research design, informal caregivers’ experiences were explored. A total of ten focus group discussions and 12 semi-structured interviews were conducted with adult caregivers. Caregivers’ perceived unmet needs were identified using thematic analysis. Findings from the qualitative study were combined with inputs from professionals to create a checklist of caregivers’ needs for dementia.Results:The average age of the participants was 52.9 years; the majority of the participants were of Chinese ethnicity (50%), followed by Indian (23%), Malay (22%), and other (3%) ethnic groups. Informal caregivers perceived four categories of unmet needs: (i) emotional and social support, (ii) information, (iii) financial support, and (iv) accessible and appropriate facilities. Caregivers strongly expressed the need for emotional support to overcome the psychological and physical burden of care. Challenges with obtaining adequate information, access to services, and financial barriers were discussed. Based on these findings and expert panel discussions, a checklist of 26 items representing their unmet needs was designed.Conclusions:Informal caregivers face several challenges while caring for their relative with dementia and hence there is a clear demand to address their unmet needs for information, services, respite, and emotional and financial support.

scholarly journals Nation Media Group and ‘The Truth’: How the firm’s slogan shapes its newspapers’ financial news gathering

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark Kapchanga
Keyword(s):  
Qualitative Research ◽  
Informed Consent ◽  
Research Design ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Financial News ◽  
Related Information ◽  
Qualitative Research Design ◽  
Media Group

The study used qualitative research design where semi-structured interviews were conducted through face-to-face, telephone and Skype. Informed consent was obtained from the respondents after having received and understood all the study-related information. The data was gathered for three months and covered Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania. The research used referral sampling, involving 120 reporters and editors who handle financial news.

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