scholarly journals `What Price Respect` - Exploring The Notion Of Respect In A 21st Century Global Learning Environment

2010 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 95 ◽  
Author(s):  
Doirean Wilson
Keyword(s):  
Learning Environment ◽  
Focus Groups ◽  
21St Century ◽  
Cultural Difference ◽  
Culturally Diverse ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Minority Ethnic Group ◽  
Global Learning ◽  
Positive Approach ◽  
Mental Programming

This paper evaluates the meaning of respect in a 21st century global learning environment, with a view to exploring the implications for promoting harmonious working relationships among students of culturally diverse ethnic backgrounds in the classroom. Research conducted since 2005 that investigates the understanding, meaning and experience of respect between final-year undergraduate students on a consulting to business module, provides the context for this paper. The methodology consists of the following four consulting teams of volunteer focus groups, comprising of between four and seven students each, over a two year period of the study that includes two phases (based on two focus groups per phase). Each team is made-up of students from different ethnic minorities and cultures and of mixed genders, aged between 22 and 43 years. The focus group sessions are conducted weekly or fortnightly over a 28 week period (the life of a module in an academic year) with each session lasting 30 minutes or an hour, which are also videoed. These focus groups are facilitated using a collaborative dialogue research approach which as acknowledged by Kitzinger 1995 who stated that “although group interviews are often used simply as a quick and convenient way to collect data from several people simultaneously, focus groups explicitly use group interaction as part of the method” and share stories of respect and disrespect as they emerge and affect them.      I draw on the work of Prado (2006), Cohen (2001), Langdon (2007) and Noddings (2005) to explore definitions of respect research and provide a framework for discussion and analysis.  I intend to disseminate findings from this research that reviews perceptions and attitudes to respect and their impact on beliefs and behaviour of the students in the study. The aim is to improve interaction and dialogue while promoting a positive approach to cultural difference. A review of historical concepts of respect is conducted to determine its influence in today’s 21st century global age.  An exploration of key factors regarding the notion of respect will also be discussed. Langdon (2007) intimates that research evidence indicates that whilst acknowledgement of respect is frequently reputed to be the driving force in improving situations where there is conflict or a need for dialogue, there is limited evidence to show that its relevance and effects have been assessed.  This is something I intend to do in this paper. Findings to date indicate that respect is an important shared value for members from culturally diverse learning environments. The research findings also show that respect has a common meaning for those with similar cultural upbringing. That is, those students from collectivist societies (using Hofstede 2001, `Three levels of Human Mental Programming` Values and Culture mode model). According to Hofstede, (ibid) “at the collective level, most or all of our mental programming is learned, which is shown by the fact that we share it with people who have gone through the same learning processes but who do not have the same genetic makeup”. Those from collectivist societies are therefore likely to exhibit the same or similar attitudes and behaviour towards respect such as, respect for extended family members and for members from their minority ethnic group. Initial findings suggest that these behavioural characteristics remain fairly consistent over different generations though marginal change is evident amongst second generations. This suggests that perceptions of respect are culturally situated and reinforced and can make behavioural change problematic. However, an awareness of difference based on facts, qualitative experience, rather than fiction or stereotypes are possible drivers for a positive approach to respect that can shift behaviours and mental models which Senge (2006) refers to as “internal pictures of how the world work” (pp. 163).   The significance of respect from a global educational perspective is therefore crucial in society today.

scholarly journals The Use of “Scratch and Challenge Board” as an Alternative Assessment Tool to Enhance University Students’ Skills

2021 ◽  
Vol 17 (3) ◽  
pp. 85
Author(s):  
Tajularipin Sulaiman ◽  
Suzieleez Syrene Abdul Rahim ◽  
KaiYan Wong ◽  
Wan Marzuki Wan Jaafar
Keyword(s):  
Focus Group ◽  
Learning Environment ◽  
University Students ◽  
21St Century ◽  
21St Century Skills ◽  
Alternative Assessment ◽  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
Assessment Tool ◽  
Assessment Tools ◽  
Research Approach

Abstract: In the teaching and learning process, assessment can be applied in various ways.  In order to ensure the quality of education, assessment should be performed as a platform to support student learning. The role of assessment also ensures that students’ learning outcomes meet the needs of the 21st century skills. “Scratch & Challenge Board” (SCB) can be used to support the 21st century teaching and learning environment through focus group discussions. Therefore, the aim of this study was to explore the perspectives of university students on the use of “Scratch & Challenge Board” as an alternative assessment tool in enhancing students’ skills. This study applied the qualitative research approach. Data were collected through focus group interviews and related documents such as students’ assignments. A total of 10 focus group were obtained, with 3-4 students in each group, and each discussion was moderated by an experienced moderator. Collected data were analysed using constant comparative data analysis methods to obtain the themes. Four (4) themes emerged in this study: (i) alternative assessment encourages active participation in learning, (ii) integrating technologies in assessment tools, (iii) relevant with 21st century skills, and (iv) improvement in learning environment. In conclusion, the “Scratch and Challenge Board” is an assessment tool that not only supports face-to-face teaching and learning, but can also be integrated with technological devices and social media platforms. The “Scratch and Challenge Board” also enhances students’ 21st century skills   Keywords: Assessment tool, Alternative assessment, Group discussion, Teaching innovation

Assessment of Three-Dimensional Engagement Levels in a Global Peer Learning Environment

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chu-Yi Wang ◽  
Mary Bessell ◽  
Stephen Lu
Keyword(s):  
Learning Environment ◽  
Cultural Difference ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Peer Learning ◽  
Emotional Engagement ◽  
Global Learning ◽  
Student Activities ◽  
Global Engineering ◽  
Engagement Assessment ◽  
Remote Learning

Abstract The global learning classroom is an emerging educational trend. The iPodia alliance promotes its peer-learning pedagogy by offering engineering classes with universities around the world. Students’ engagement as one of the important metrics to assess the effectiveness of education design methodology has been under considerable interest for several years. Tri-engagement, comprised of behavioral, cognitive, and emotional engagement provides a comprehensive assessment of learning success. This paper illustrates how a tri-engagement assessment was implemented in a global learning environment and examines the effectiveness of the peer-learning pedagogy in such highly diverse environment. This paper proposes a quantitative method using a modified Likert scale to assess students’ tri-engagement levels comprised of student and teaching assistant surveys, video observations, and analysis of facial emotion recognition, through preparation, data collection, and analysis stages. Comparisons of tri-engagements between the instructor-student activities and the peer-peer discussions, different continent regions, and on-site/remote learning are offered. Results show that the overall iPodia peer-learning activities experienced all positive tri-engagement levels and were not significantly affected by the region diversity (< 6% difference) or the remote learning (< 3% difference) of the iPodia learning classroom. That preliminarily proved that the iPodia peer-learning pedagogy maintains positive tri-engagements in a global engineering class. Additional findings were that the self-raters and observers experienced students’ cognitive engagement differently, and cultural difference would mainly affect students’ behavioral engagement, but unfamiliarity of the content may increase their emotional engagement.

scholarly journals Blending Indigenous Sharing Circle and Western Focus Group Methodologies for the Study of Indigenous Children’s Health: A Systematic Review

2021 ◽  
Vol 20 ◽  
pp. 160940692110151
Author(s):  
Sarah C. Hunt ◽  
Nancy L. Young
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Focus Group ◽  
Focus Groups ◽  
Qualitative Content Analysis ◽  
Children's Health ◽  
Children’S Health ◽  
Community Advisory Board ◽  
Original Research ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Sharing Circles

The primary objective of this systematic review was to investigate how Western focus groups and Indigenous sharing circles have been blended for the study of Indigenous children’s health. The secondary objective of this study was to propose recommendations for adapting focus groups to include elements of sharing circles. This systematic review was conducted using a systematic search of original research articles published between 2009 and 2020 that (a) focused on North American Indigenous children’s health and (b) used group-based qualitative methods including focus groups and sharing circles. Each of the articles was screened for relevance and quality. The methods sections were reviewed, subjected to qualitative content analysis, and codes were analyzed to identify common themes and synthesize results. We identified 29 articles, most of which followed a community-based participatory research approach. In these publications, most included a community advisory board, ethics approval was obtained, and in some cases, community members were included as research assistants. There was evidence that sharing circles and focus group methods had been blended in the recent Indigenous children’s health literature. This was particularly apparent in the authors’ approaches to recruitment, location, facilitation techniques, question format and reimbursement. Several groups have published results that describe approaches that successfully incorporated aspects of Indigenous sharing circles into Western focus groups, thus establishing a research method that is culturally safe and appropriate for the study of Indigenous children’s health.

scholarly journals Improving support for breastfeeding mothers: a qualitative study on the experiences of breastfeeding among mothers who reside in a deprived and culturally diverse community

2021 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Erica Jane Cook ◽  
Faye Powell ◽  
Nasreen Ali ◽  
Catrin Penn-Jones ◽  
Bertha Ochieng ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Focus Groups ◽  
Health Care Professionals ◽  
Culturally Diverse ◽  
Local Community ◽  
Framework Analysis ◽  
Black African ◽  
Early Stages ◽  
Practical Support ◽  
Diverse Community

Abstract Background The United Kingdom has one of the lowest breastfeeding rates in Europe, with the initiation and continuation of breastfeeding shown to be closely related to the mothers’ age, ethnicity and social class. Whilst the barriers that influence a woman’s decision to breastfeed are well documented, less is known how these barriers vary by the UK’s diverse population. As such, this study aimed to explore mothers’ experiences of breastfeeding and accessing breastfeeding services offered locally amongst a deprived and culturally diverse community. Methods A qualitative interpretive study comprising of 63 mothers (white British n = 8, Pakistani n = 13, Bangladeshi n = 10, black African n = 15 and Polish n = 17) who took part in single-sex focus groups, conducted in local community centres across the most deprived and ethnically diverse wards in Luton, UK. The focus groups were audio-recorded, transcribed and analysed thematically using Framework Analysis. Results The most common barriers to breastfeeding irrespective of ethnicity were perceptions surrounding pain and lack of milk. Confidence and motivation were found to be crucial facilitators of breastfeeding; whereby mothers felt that interventions should seek to reassure and support mothers not only during the early stages but throughout the breastfeeding journey. Mothers particularly valued the practical support provided by health care professions particularly surrounding positioning and attachment techniques. However, many mothers felt that the support from health care professionals was not always followed through. Conclusions The findings presented inform important recommendations for the design and implementation of future programs and interventions targeted at reducing breastfeeding inequalities. Interventions should focus on providing mothers practical support and reassurance not only during the early stages but throughout their breastfeeding journey. The findings also highlight the need for tailoring services to support diverse communities which acknowledge different traditional and familial practices.

scholarly journals The Teaching Model through Problem-Based Learning in a Course on Bibliographic Research

2018 ◽  
Vol 22 (2) ◽  
pp. 1
Author(s):  
Ruth Cristina Hernández-Ching
Keyword(s):  
Focus Groups ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Problem Based Learning ◽  
Teaching Model ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Epistemological Foundation ◽  
Communication Processes ◽  
Survey Results ◽  
The One ◽  
Formative Learning

The experience of applying problem-based learning (PBL) technique in the Bibliographic Research course from a Bachelor of English study plan of a public university during the first half of 2014 is shared. The investigation aimed to answer the following question: Does the problem-based learning technique in the Bibliographic Research course allows to implement the main tenets of the teaching model: epistemological foundation, learning theory, methodology and didactics, and communication processes? The research approach proposed was qualitative, and triangulation for measuring variables was implemented. The following instruments were applied: observation, experience record books, and focus groups. Furthermore, formative learning was measured by means of an online survey. Results of the instruments were categorized using technology-based tools such as Wordle (observation), NVivo (record books) and MindNode (focus groups). A convenience sampling was used to collect data from eight students enrolled in the Bibliographic Research course, ten students of Integrated English II for non-English majors, and the researcher, as professor of the courses. It was determined that the PBL technique permitted to reach the main tenets of the teaching model. It was identified that the teacher was the main learner, and the one who benefited from the process, since a culture of knowledge, throughout the course, was created. It was also concluded that this technique allowed to develop twenty-first century skills. It would be valuable to quantify whether the development of the four basic skills of English, especially the conversation one, improves using the technique along with technologies.

scholarly journals The Wiki Learning Project: Wikipedia as an Open Learning Environment

Comunicar ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 24 (49) ◽  
pp. 61-69 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paola Ricaurte-Quijano ◽  
Arianna Carli-Álvarez
Keyword(s):  
Learning Environment ◽  
Knowledge Production ◽  
Collective Intelligence ◽  
Mobile Technologies ◽  
Global Learning ◽  
Open Learning ◽  
Global Knowledge ◽  
Educational Models ◽  
Digital Platforms ◽  
Open Learning Environment

Traditional educational models limit learning possibilities to formal and closed environments. However, mobile technologies and digital platforms are changing this paradigm, expanding learning opportunities. Based on the principles of peer knowledge production, we argue that Wikipedia can be used as an open learning environment that serves several purposes: a) it allows the acquisition of basic skills; b) it contributes to collective intelligence; c) it shortens the global knowledge gap; and, d) it enables the creation of global learning networks. The aim of this study is to introduce the process, strategies, and results of the implementation of the Wiki Learning project at a Mexican university, as an open learning model for the use of Wikipedia as a learning tool. This project included a variety of activities, from article production to workshops by and for students and teachers; 115 students and 57 teachers were surveyed to identify their perception about Wikipedia, its use and potential as educational tool. The results showed that, although the majority are Wikipedia users, there is still a lack of knowledge about its functioning, structure and communities, and a negative perception of the Wikipedia. This poses a great challenge to overcome this stigma and recover the value of collective knowledge production, the purpose of the encyclopedia and its place as a relevant product of collective intelligence. Los enfoques predominantes en el sistema educativo tradicional circunscriben las posibilidades de aprendizaje a entornos formales y cerrados. Sin embargo, las tecnologías móviles y plataformas digitales están transformando este paradigma, expandiendo las posibilidades de aprendizaje. A partir de esta condición y en el marco de la producción del conocimiento entre pares, sostenemos que Wikipedia puede ser utilizada como un entorno de aprendizaje abierto que cumple varios propósitos: a) permite adquirir competencias básicas; b) contribuye a la inteligencia colectiva; c) acorta la brecha global de conocimiento; y, d) facilita la construcción de redes globales de aprendizaje. Este estudio de caso tiene como objetivo presentar el proceso, estrategias y resultados del proyecto Wiki Learning, como modelo de aprendizaje abierto a través del uso de Wikipedia en una universidad mexicana. El proyecto abarcó desde la producción de artículos hasta talleres para el desarrollo de capacidades de profesores y estudiantes. Se realizaron encuestas a 57 docentes y 115 alumnos para identificar la percepción acerca de Wikipedia, su uso y posibilidades como herramienta educativa. Los resultados demostraron que a pesar de que todos son usuarios de Wikipedia, existe un desconocimiento general sobre su funcionamiento, estructura y comunidades, además de cierta desconfianza. Se presenta un desafío para romper el estigma y recuperar el valor de la gestión compartida del conocimiento, el propósito de la enciclopedia y su lugar como producto de la inteligencia colectiva.

scholarly journals Digital learning on the basis of 21st century higher education

2016 ◽  
Vol 3 (6) ◽  
Author(s):  
György Molnár
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Learning Environment ◽  
21St Century ◽  
Education System ◽  
Rapid Development ◽  
Digital Learning ◽  
Way Of Life ◽  
Learning Methods ◽  
Teaching Learning

The rapid development of ICT is constantly calling for society and economics, as well as our way of life. This tendency is being intensified these days by the transformation of the basic lifestyles, tasks and roles besides the changes of the education system and its components. The major shifts in technical and technological advancements have resulted in the development of the learning environment and the spread of digital learning therefore required the adjustment of learning forms and fundamental principles). Its signs are primarily visible in the changes of the classical teaching-learning methods, the redefining of the learning environment and the shifts of different roles.

scholarly journals ’I learned a lot about my classmates …’. Exploring focus group discussions as learning environment to raise controversial issues in geography and economic education

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (4) ◽  
pp. 16-30
Author(s):  
Christiane Hintermann ◽  
◽  
Heidrun Edlinger ◽  
Matthias Fasching ◽  
Thomas Jekel ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Focus Group ◽  
Learning Environment ◽  
Focus Groups ◽  
Learning Environments ◽  
Real World ◽  
Economic Education ◽  
Controversial Issues ◽  
Active Citizenship ◽  
Focus Group Discussions ◽  
Group Discussions

Teachers of geography and economics address numerous topics in the classroom which are controversially discussed in society and/or affect pupils directly. How they deal with issues such as migration or identity depends not only on the respective curriculum but also on their disciplinary knowledge and pedagogic skills. This paper argues for the need to adapt learning environments depending on educational objectives, content, age and discusses focus groups as one possible way to work with students in secondary education on sensitive matters. Focus groups are seen as a tool to enable real-world complexity in the classroom, and to prepare students for participatory, active citizenship. The paper first discusses current theoretical thought regarding controversy in both society and the classroom. It then goes on to illustrate real-world classroom experiences of focus-group based learning on controversial issues and to discuss its benefits and challenges.

A case study of the successes and challenges of opening a 21st century learning community for elementary students

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Katherine A. Lawson
Keyword(s):  
Learning Environment ◽  
Learning Community ◽  
21St Century ◽  
Support Systems ◽  
21St Century Learning ◽  
Model Description ◽  
University Of Missouri ◽  
Stakeholder Perspectives ◽  
Teachers And Parents ◽  
Successes And Challenges

[ACCESS RESTRICTED TO THE UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI AT AUTHOR'S REQUEST.] This qualitative study serves as a model description for school districts to learn from the successes and challenges faced by one Midwest American district's launch of an innovative, project-based elementary school learning community. The researcher gathered stakeholder perspectives on the support systems needed to create a successful 21st century learning environment through interviews, focus groups, and archival data. Stakeholders included administrators, teachers, and parents. The support systems analyzed included the learning environment, curriculum and instruction, and professional development. Results suggest that flexibility, learner centricity, and 21st century skills are critical to all measured aspects of this 21st century learning community.

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