Advantages and Challenges of Fostering Cognitive Integration Through Virtual Collaborative Learning: a Qualitative Study

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeanette Ignacio ◽  
Hui-Chen Chen ◽  
Tanushri Roy
Keyword(s):  
Online Learning ◽  
Collaborative Learning ◽  
Focus Group ◽  
Learning Activity ◽  
First Year ◽  
Cognitive Integration ◽  
Focus Group Discussions ◽  
Learning Session ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Face To Face

Abstract BackgroundThe drastic shift from face-to-face classes to online learning due to the COVID-19 pandemic has enabled educators to ensure the continuity of learning for health professions students in higher education. Collaborative learning, a pedagogy used to facilitate knowledge integration by helping students translate theory from basic sciences to clinical application and practice, has thus been transformed from a face-to-face to a virtual strategy to achieve the learning objectives of a multi-disciplinary and integrated module.ObjectivesThis study aimed to describe and evaluate, through focus group discussions, a virtual collaborative learning activity implemented to assist first year undergraduate nursing students to develop cognitive integration in a module consisting of pathophysiology, pharmacology and nursing practice.MethodsFourteen first year undergraduate students and four faculty involved in facilitating the virtual collaboration participated in the study. Focus group discussions were conducted to elicit the perceptions of students and staff on the virtual collaborative learning session conducted at the end of the semester.ResultsThree themes were generated from the thematic analysis of the students’ focus group scripts. These were: (1) achieving engagement and interaction, (2) supporting the collaborative process, and (3) considering practical nuances. The three themes were further subdivided into subthemes to highlight noteworthy elements captured during focus group discussions. Three themes also emerged from the focus group discussion scripts of faculty participants: (1) learning to effectively manage, (2) facing engagement constraints, and (3) achieving integration. These themes were further sectioned into salient subthemes.ConclusionThe virtual collaborative learning pedagogy is valuable in fostering cognitive integration. However, meticulous planning considering various variables prior to implementation is needed. With better planning directed at addressing the learners’ needs and the faculty’s capabilities and readiness for online learning pedagogies, and with a strong institutional support to help mitigate the identified constraints of virtual collaborative learning, students and faculty will benefit.

scholarly journals Investigating the Contributions of International Oil and Gas Firms to Local Development in Ghana: Dilemmas and Challenges

2020 ◽  
Vol 16 (28) ◽  
Author(s):  
Remy Nyukorong
Keyword(s):  
Focus Group ◽  
Oil And Gas ◽  
Local Development ◽  
Primary Data ◽  
Focus Group Discussions ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Oil Companies ◽  
Priority Needs ◽  
Oil And Gas Firms

Ghana is relatively new to oil and gas extraction and there is little empirical knowledge about the key players in the oil and gas business, what they do to contribute to local socio-economic development, and the quandaries these firms struggle with while operating under difficult circumstances. The purpose of this study was to assess the contribution of international oil companies to local development in Ghana and to evaluate the challenges and dilemmas faced by these firms. The study adopted a qualitative, interpretive case study design that relied on face-to-face interviews and focus group discussions to gather primary data. Interview responses were analysed, compared, and categorised with the results of transcription of the focus group discussions, and later triangulated and interpreted to draw conclusions. The study revealed that most international oil companies in Ghana are transparent in reporting on their business activities and operations. Despite the efforts by these firms to support local development by funding developmental projects, paying taxes, and providing employment opportunities to local youth, international oil companies are still a target of criticism for unsatisfactory performance. Local populations would like to see extractive firms finance community infrastructural projects matching with local priority needs and focus more on impact rather than the quantity of money disbursed or the number of projects funded. International oil companies should change their engagement approach from a mere consultation to a realistic, democratic, and broad-based involvement of the publics. This study has enriched existing frameworks applied to evaluate business organisations’ contributions to local development.

scholarly journals The Unexpected Rewards of Qualitative Research in Assessment: A Case Example

2015 ◽  
Author(s):  
Penny Singh
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Qualitative Research ◽  
Focus Group ◽  
Focus Group Discussions ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Tertiary Institutions ◽  
Learning Opportunity ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Oral Assessment ◽  
Oral Component

This paper reports on the inclusion of an oral component of assessment in science at two tertiary institutions in South Africa. The purpose of this paper is not to report on the results of the assessments conducted, but to focus on some of the unexpected rewards of conducting qualitative research in assessment. Using focus group discussions within a qualitative framework allowed me insights into the thoughts and experiences of the students and assessors, making the benefits of oral assessment apparent. These benefits included how assessment can be used as a learning opportunity, the advantages of homogeneous versus heterogeneous groups, and the benefits of face-to-face interaction, all of which led to improved relationships between students and assessors.

scholarly journals PERCEPTIONS OF TEACHERS AND LEARNERS ON THE IMPACT OF COVID-19 PANDEMIC LOCKDOWN ON RURAL SECONDARY SCHOOL FEMALE LEARNERS IN MATOBO DISTRICT, ZIMBABWE

2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Lwazi Sibanda ◽  
Joyce Mathwasa
Keyword(s):  
Online Learning ◽  
Focus Group ◽  
Secondary School ◽  
Geographical Location ◽  
Focus Group Discussions ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Design Data ◽  
Online Learning Resources ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Perceptions Of Teachers

The purpose of the study was to examine the perceptions of teachers and learners on the impact of COVID-19 pandemic lockdown on rural secondary school female learners in Matobo District. The study was qualitative in nature, entrenched on interpretivist paradigm and adopted a case study design. Data was collected using open-ended questionnaire and online focus group discussions from six teachers and eighteen learners who formed three focus group discussions. The participants were purposively sampled from three schools. The study found that a few teachers were able to conduct online lessons using WhatsApp platform during COVID-19 pandemic lockdown in the selected schools though there was no consistence as teaching was not programmed and participation of female learners was low. The findings revealed that most of the parents could not afford to provide online learning resources for their children because of economic hardships. The study further established that rural female learners were at risk during COVID-19 pandemic lockdown as some of them were exposed to sexual abuse when they try to have access to smartphones and data bundles from some male adults. It was found that female learners have lost much of their learning time whilst on lockdown and many cases of pregnancy have emerged leading to dropping out of school. The study concluded that most of the rural secondary school female learners were excluded from education during lockdown due to poverty, unavailability of network or poor network coverage, lack of broadcast transmission services to enable them to access online lessons through the radio, lack of electricity, poor attendance due to lack of smartphones and data bundles, performance of all household chores including herding of cattle and lack of cooperation from some parents. The study recommended that the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education should collaborate with stakeholders to provide necessary resources to enable all learners to access online learning despite geographical location. <p> </p><p><strong> Article visualizations:</strong></p><p><img src="/-counters-/edu_01/0721/a.php" alt="Hit counter" /></p>

scholarly journals The use of children in cocoa production in sekyere south district in ashanti region, ghana: is this child labour or an apprenticeship training?

2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 38-43
Author(s):  
PKB Asamoah ◽  
SB Adubofour ◽  
J Obodai ◽  
FO Agyemang
Keyword(s):  
Focus Group ◽  
Child Labour ◽  
Opinion Leaders ◽  
Focus Group Discussions ◽  
International Labour Organisation ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Apprenticeship Training ◽  
Cocoa Production ◽  
Cocoa Farmers

Concerns have been growing in Ghana about the employment of children, aged between 5-17 years, in cocoa production activities. This concern is echoed by the International Labour Organisation in its attempt to eliminate Worst Form of Child Labour. The objectives of the study were as to: investigate whether the labour of the children are paid for; determine the extent of children’s involvement; and investigate the risks they are exposed to. Using Focus Group Discussions (FGDs), participant groups made up of women, men, children and opinion leaders were purposely selected from 10 cocoa producing communities from the study area. Structured questionnaires were also administered to 50 cocoa farmers through face-to-face interviews. The study revealed that harvesting is the stage in the cocoa production process that children are directly and actively involved. The study concludes by indicating that child labour and cocoa production are inseparable in the cocoa producing areas in the study site.Int. J. Agril. Res. Innov. & Tech. 8 (1): 38-43, June, 2018

The Use of Signs and Symbols in Communication Amongst the Vhavenda

2022 ◽  
pp. 384-399
Author(s):  
Justice Tshimangadzo Makhanikhe ◽  
Rendani Tshifhumulo ◽  
Pfarelo Eva Matshidze
Keyword(s):  
Focus Group ◽  
Data Collection ◽  
Focus Group Discussions ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Local Municipality

Signs and symbols are also known to be an integral part of secret language that is expected only to be understood by the speakers of that language. Signs and symbols have been used by different African communities to transfer meaning since time immemorial, and Vhavenda communities are not immune to such phenomena. This means that the meaning of a sign and/or symbol is not necessarily readily or easily apparent to a non-speaker of the language. Non-speakers may struggle to understand what is conveyed by the speaker. This chapter seeks to explore the characteristics, types of signs and symbols used by the Vhavenda communities to communicate meaning. Data will be collected from elderly members of the Vhavenda communities within Thulamela local municipality. Fifteen elders will be engaged through face-to-face interviews as well as focus group discussions for data collection purposes. Data for this book chapter will then be analysed thematically.

scholarly journals PELATIHAN GURU SEKOLAH DASAR UNTUK MEMBANGUN KOMUNIKASI EFEKTIF DENGAN ORANG TUA SELAMA PEMBELAJARAN JARAK JAUH

2021 ◽  
pp. 289
Author(s):  
Carolina Dindy Dwi Miranti ◽  
Agustina Hendriati
Keyword(s):  
Online Learning ◽  
Focus Group ◽  
Group Discussion ◽  
Effective Communication ◽  
Focus Group Discussions ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Post Test ◽  
Role Of Parents ◽  
Teachers And Parents

The COVID-19 pandemic impacts education sector. In the online-based distance learning period, the role of parents is very important to accompany students while studying. However, in reality, problems were found such as in the SHS elementary school in Central Jakarta, problems were related to communication between teachers and parents during the online learning period which often caused further misunderstandings and parents becomes less involved to accompany children to learn. It is worried can reduce student learning motivation during the COVID-19 pandemic. Data collection was then carried out through interviews and focus group discussions which were then analyzed using a problem tree.. To overcome the problem, an intervention was designed, consisting of effective communication training for teachers in order to establish better relationships with parents during online learning. The study used a filed experiment with one-group pre-post test design. Based on the result of the pre-post test, it was revealed that there was an increase in teachers’ understanding. In conclusion, the objectives of the training provided to teachers were achieved; teachers realize and understand better on how to establish effective communication with parents. With the improved awareness and understanding of the teachers, it is hoped that they can improve their communication with parents so that parents would be more willing to be involved in their children’s studying process from home and misunderstandings from ineffective communication may be minimized.Pandemi COVID-19 berdampak pada sektor pendidikan. Pada masa pembelajaran jarak jauh berbasis daring, peran orang tua sangat penting untuk mendampingi siswa selama belajar. Namun pada kenyataannya ditemukan permasalahan seperti di SD SHS Jakarta Pusat yakni komunikasi antara guru dengan orang tua kurang berjalan dengan baik sehingga sering menyebabkan kesalahpahaman serta orang tua menjadi kurang terlibat dalam mendampingi anak belajar. Hal ini dikhawatirkan dapat menurunkan motivasi belajar siswa di masa pandemi COVID-19.  Pengumpulan data dilakukan melalui wawancara dan diskusi kelompok terfokus (focus group discussion) yang kemudian dianalisis menggunakan pohon masalah. Untuk mengatasi masalah tersebut, maka dirancang intervensi yakni pelatihan komunikasi yang efektif bagi guru untuk menjalin hubungan yang lebih baik dengan orang tua selama pembelajaran daring. Penelitian ini menggunakan eksperimen lapangan dengan desain one-group pre-post test. Berdasarkan hasil pre-post test diketahui bahwa terjadi peningkatan pemahaman guru. Kesimpulannya, tujuan pelatihan yang diberikan kepada guru tercapai; guru menyadari dan memahami lebih baik tentang bagaimana menjalin komunikasi yang efektif dengan orang tua. Dengan meningkatnya kesadaran dan pemahaman para guru diharapkan dapat meningkatkan komunikasi dengan orang tua sehingga orang tua lebih bersedia untuk terlibat dalam proses belajar anak-anaknya dari rumah dan kesalahpahaman dari komunikasi yang tidak efektif dapat diminimalkan.

Identification and prioritization of stage-level KPIs for BOT projects – evidence from Turkey

2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (6) ◽  
pp. 1311-1337
Author(s):  
Cenk Budayan ◽  
Ozan Okudan ◽  
Irem Dikmen
Keyword(s):  
Focus Group ◽  
Performance Management ◽  
Facility Management ◽  
Superior Performance ◽  
Focus Group Discussions ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
High Level ◽  
Bot Project

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to identify and prioritize key performance indicators (KPIs) that can be used for stage-based performance assessment of build-operate-transfer (BOT) projects.Design/methodology/approachThis research was conducted through focus group discussions and face-to-face questionnaires. Firstly, stage-level KPIs for BOT projects were identified by conducting a literature survey. The list of KPIs that can be used for measuring performance at different stages of a BOT project was finalized by conducting focus group discussions with 12 participants. The data related to the importance of identified KPIs were collected via a face-to-face questionnaire in which 30 high-level managers participated. Based on these data, KPIs were prioritized considering eight different stages of a BOT project by using Technique for Order of Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS).FindingsThe research findings reveal that 63 stage-level KPIs can be used for measuring the performance of BOT projects at eight different stages, which are “feasibility study and preliminary plan,” “announcement and submission of application,” “evaluation and selection,” “negotiation and signing of concession agreement,” “design,” “construction,” “operation” and “transfer.” The most important KPIs were determined as “comprehensiveness of project technical feasibility,” “detailed tendering procedure,” “effectiveness of concessionaires' technical knowledge/capability evaluation,” “good relationships between government and concessionaire,” “technology transfer,” “effectiveness of quality control,” “effectiveness of facility management” and “effectiveness of hand-back management” for each stage. The findings can be used by companies to evaluate performance at each stage of a BOT project and, if necessary, take the necessary actions for performance improvement at the stage level.Research limitations/implicationsThe main limitation is the size of the sample, which represents the perspectives of 30 Turkish high-level managers on KPIs in BOT projects. Besides, the selected method, namely, TOPSIS, does not provide quality measures related to the outputs; therefore, it is difficult to see the inconsistencies among the experts.Practical implicationsThe study findings will help in devising appropriate performance evaluation practices for BOT projects to overcome the shortfalls of the existing practices and systems proposed in the literature and help in achieving the superior performance while developing infrastructure through the BOT route.Originality/valueThis paper proposes a process-based approach for measuring the performance of a BOT project considering eight different stages. It fills a research gap in the public–private partnership literature by focusing on stages rather than phases. The results can be used by practitioners to establish stage-level performance management systems for BOT projects.

Dari Idealisme ke Pragmatisme: Pergeseran Paradigma dalam Pengembangan Hukum Ekonomi Syariah di Indonesia

2020 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 191-210
Author(s):  
Addiarrahman Addiarrahman ◽  
Illy Yanti
Keyword(s):  
Focus Group ◽  
Focus Group Discussions ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Business World ◽  
Key Informants ◽  
The Public ◽  
Financial Products ◽  
Legal Consideration ◽  
Economic Law ◽  
Islamic Economic

This study seeks to understand the pragmatism of the development of sharia economic law, and its implications for Islamic financial products in Indonesia. The data comes from the results of interviews and focus group discussions with key informants from academics, practitioners, authorities, and the public. This research finds that pragmatism in the development of Islamic economic law is an approach that still dominates the DSN-MUI fatwas. The pragmatism style used is complex-eclectic pragmatism which is represented through makhārij al-fiqhiyyah, which is to choose a mild opinion by sticking to the strongest method or also called "taysīr al-manhajī". The use of this method is intended to ensure that the fatwa is truly able to answer the needs of the business world, as well as being in line with sharia principles. DSN-MUI also does not use maslahah as a legal consideration in a free or liberal way. Rather, it returns maslahah in consideration of the method, so that it is permissible to use the bay’ al-'inān contract only in a forced state (ḍarurah).

scholarly journals “Stages of change, smoking behavior and acceptability of a textmessaging intervention for tobacco cessation among cigarette, dokha and shishasmokers: A qualitative research study.”

BMJ Open ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (9) ◽  
pp. e029144 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yusra Elhidaia Elobaid ◽  
Andrea Leinberger Jabari ◽  
Aisha Al Hamiz ◽  
Abdul Rizzak Al Kaddour ◽  
Sherif Bakir ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Qualitative Research ◽  
Smoking Cessation ◽  
Focus Group ◽  
United Arab Emirates ◽  
Text Messaging ◽  
Tobacco Cessation ◽  
Text Messages ◽  
Controlled Study ◽  
Focus Group Discussions ◽  
Group Discussions

ObjectivesTo explore: (A) the underlying motivators and barriers to smoking cessation among young Arabic speaking smokers and (B) to examine the suitability and preferences for tobacco cessation interventions (specifically text messages) and study the possibility of enrollment methods for a randomised controlled study using text messages as an intervention for tobacco cessation.DesignQualitative research using focus group discussions and content analysis.Setting(s)Two universities, one of them is the first and foremost comprehensive national university in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The third setting is the largest hospital in the UAE and the flagship institution for the public health system in the emirate of Abu Dhabi.ParticipantsSix focus group discussions with a total of 57 participants. Forty-seven men and 10 women. Fifty-three of them were current smokers.ResultsThe analysis of six focus groups was carried out. Main themes arose from the data included: preferences for tobacco cessation interventions and acceptability and feasibility of text messaging as tobacco cessation intervention. Different motives and barriers for quitting smoking including shisha and dokha were explored.ConclusionInterventions using text messaging for smoking cessation have not been used in the Middle East and they could potentially be effective; however, tailoring and closely examining the content and acceptability of text messages to be used is important before the conduction of trials involving their use. Social media is perceived to be more effective and influential, with a higher level of penetration into communities of young smokers.

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