scholarly journals “Terrorism plus Canada in the 1960’s equals hell frozen over”: Learning about the October Crisis with computer technology in the Canadian classroom

Author(s):  
Stéphane Lévesque

This study investigated the role and impact of a digital history program (the Virtual Historian©) on students’ historical thinking and reasoning about a controversial episode in Canadian history. The purpose was to examine whether the use of the Virtual Historian©, a web-based inquiry program to teach Canadian history, improves the learning of a key episode in the school curriculum (French-English relations and the October Crisis, 1970). Using a quasi-experimental design, two Ontario Grade 10 classes were assigned to a treatment group (Virtual Historian©) and comparison group (classroom lessons) on the topic. Findings indicate that using the Virtual Historian© can significantly increase students’ understanding of the subject-matter and their ability to think and write historically more than classroom inquiry-based lessons. Résumé : Cet article présente les résultats d’une étude quasi-expérimentale menée auprès de deux groupes d’élèves ontariens de la 10e année inscrit au cours d’histoire du Canada. L’étude avait pour but d’examiner le rôle et l’impact des technologies de l’information et des communications (TIC), et plus particulièrement d’un nouveau didacticiel en histoire canadienne, l’historien virtuel©, sur l’apprentissage d’un épisode marquant de l’histoire scolaire (la Crise d’octobre, 1970). Les résultats de l’étude indiquent que les élèves du groupe expérimental (l’historien virtuel©) ont développé une meilleure compréhension de l’histoire et de la Crise d’octobre que ceux du groupe de comparaison (enseignement en classe).

2019 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 6-11
Author(s):  
Luh Wina Sadevi

The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of using multimedia web-based on learning outcome, especially psychomotor domain of XI Fashion Boutique students in SMKN 6 Surabaya, on the subject study Pattern Making. Quasi-Experimental design has been used, which consists of experimental class (multimedia web-based) and control class (power point), wherein consists of 30 students for each class. Data was analyse using Independent sample t-test on SPSS software. The data showed that psycomotor domain of the experimental class were higher than control class.


2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (6) ◽  
pp. 1378
Author(s):  
Ade Vidianti ◽  
Johan Eka Wijaya DN

The development of science and technology has changed the elements in all fields, especially education. The learning patterns have also changed; one of which is using computer-based or internet / web-based learning, such as: E-learning, online courses, web-based education, and others. This paradigm shift sometimes requires lecturers to be more creative in delivering learning materials to students, especially, in this research, in the subject of school curriculum development. This aims to increase the effectiveness and flexibility of learning. In its implementation, the school curriculum development subject still ituilize printed teaching materials during the learning process. The purpose of this research was to develop web-based teaching materials for the subject of school curriculum development. This research applied research and development method with ADDIE model (Analysis, Design, Development, Implementation, and Evaluation). The development of web-based teaching materials in this research was assessed through the expert review stage with an accumulation of assessment results from media experts, design experts, linguists, and media experts. The result showed that the percentage of the expert review was 86%  very good category. Then, the percentage of the individual test (one to one) was 85% with very good category. After that, the percentage of small group test was 85% with very good category. Based on these results, it can be concluded that web-based teaching materials are feasible to be applied to in the subject of school curriculum development.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nur Tsalits Fahman Mughni

Teaching materials by integrating local culture makes easier for students to understand the subject matter in the learning process. The aims of the study is to measure the effectiveness of teaching materials based on local wisdom of agriculture in Binjai in improving the students problem solving abilities. The research method was a quasi experimental which use non equivalent control group in the pretest posttest design. The sample of study were students of Senior High School grade X in Binjai that consisted of experiment group which used teaching materials based on local wisdom of agriculture in Binjai and control group that used student handbooks. Teaching materials are tested by material experts and technology experts to ensure the quality of teaching materials. Data collection was conducted through test. The results showed that the teaching materials based on local wisdom of agriculture in Binjai effective in improving students problem solving abilities in the experimental group students based on the results of N gain value was 0.67 which has medium criteria. It means teaching materials based on agricultural local wisdom of agriculture in Binjai can be used as one of the teaching materials in learning activities.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
David S. Bickham ◽  
Summer Moukalled ◽  
Heather Inyart ◽  
Rona Zlokower

BACKGROUND Screenshots is an in-school curriculum that uses aspects of digital citizenship to develop the emerging digital social skills of middle-schoolers with the long term goal of improving their health and well-being. The program seeks to create a knowledge base on which young adolescents can build a set of beliefs and behaviors that foster respectful interactions, prosocial conflict resolutions, and safe and secure uses of communication technology. Intervening in this way can improve mental health by limiting their exposure to cyberbullying and other forms of negative online interactions. This study reports on an evaluation of Screenshots conducted with 7th graders in a public school system of a mid-size New England City. OBJECTIVE The goal of this study is to determine the effectiveness of the Screenshots program in increasing participants’ knowledge about key concepts of digital citizenship and in shifting beliefs and intended behaviors to align with pro-social, respectful, and safe online interactions. Additionally, the study examines the extent to which the program has differing effects for boys and girls in terms of their conflict and bullying resolution strategies. METHODS This quasi-experimental evaluation was conducted in four middle schools in which one group of 7th graders received the Screenshots curriculum and another did not. Before and after the curriculum, all students completed a questionnaire that measured their knowledge of and beliefs about digital citizenship and related online behavioral concepts, their attitudes regarding strategies for stopping online bullying, and their intended online conflict resolution behaviors. RESULTS The sample included 92 students who received the curriculum and 71 in the comparison group. Pre- to post-test retention rates ranged from 52.4% to 84% varying by school and condition. Results showed an increase in knowledge about key curricular concepts for some students (F1,32= 9.97, P = .003). In response to some individual items, student increased their beliefs supportive of online privacy (F1,42= 4.389, P=.04) and safety (F1,76= 2.79, P=.099) compared to the comparison group. Gender moderated the results related to conflict resolution with some boys reducing their endorsement of an aggressive option (F2,40= 5.77, P = .006), and some girls increasing their tendency to pursue a non-aggressive option (pre-test=3.83, post-test=3.58). Participants, on average, reported learning something new from the classes. CONCLUSIONS This study represents a rare evaluation of an in-school digital citizenship program and demonstrates the effectiveness of Screenshots. Students’ increased knowledge of key curricular concepts represents a foundation on which to develop future beliefs and healthy behaviors. Differences in how boys and girls experience and perpetrate online aggression likely explain the conflict resolution findings and emphasizes the need to examine gender differences in response to these programs. Students high rating of the relevance of Screenshot’s content reinforces the need for this type of intervention.


2020 ◽  
pp. 209653112097270
Author(s):  
Hui Gu ◽  
Jijun Yao ◽  
Longjun Zhou ◽  
Alan Cheung ◽  
Philip Abrami

Purpose: This study explores the effectiveness of a A Balanced Reading Approach for Children Always Designed to Achieve Best Results for All (ABRACADABRA; hereinafter, ABRA) —a web-based literacy program designed by Concordia University in Canada —on third-grade students in Nanjing, China. Design/Approach/Methods: Participants comprised 999 students from three treatment schools (N = 711) and three control schools (N = 288). Three different approaches were used in the treatment schools: namely, a computer laboratory once a week, noontime study after lunch, and single-game instruction (SG) during every English lesson. Interviews were also conducted with teachers, producing qualitative data. Findings: Following 20 weeks of intervention, the overall effect size was +0.05. The SG group reflected the smallest effect size (d = -0.52). The noontime study group produced an effect size of 0.39, and the laboratory group an effect size of 0.55. This study conducted interviews with teachers to gain a qualitative understanding of the differential impacts. In doing so, this study found that teachers in the SG group were poorly motivated due to a lack of school support and heavy workload, resulting in passive roles and low ABRA program intensity. Originality/Value: The results of this study indicate that ABRA is an effective means of improving Chinese students’ English literacy skills. Results also underscore the need for critical measures to encourage teachers to actively participate in the program.


2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kaori Nakada

Abstract Background Maternal employment has been described as a barrier to breastfeeding in many countries. In Japan, many mothers quit breastfeeding after returning to work because they do not know how to continue breastfeeding. The primary objective of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of a breastfeeding support program for mothers. The secondary objective was to explore the effectiveness of a pamphlet for mothers returning to work. Methods This was a quasi-experimental design study with a program group (n = 48), pamphlet group (n = 46) and comparison group (n = 47) that took place from February 2017 to August 2018. Participants in the program and pamphlet groups were women who planned to return to work within 4–12 months after giving birth, while the comparison group included women who had been back at work for at least 3 months. The program involved a 90-min breastfeeding class, a pamphlet, a newsletter, and email consultation. The pamphlet group was sent only the pamphlet, while the comparison group received no intervention. The outcome was breastfeeding continuation rate at 3 months after returning to work. Results The breastfeeding continuation rate 3 months after returning to work was significantly higher in the program group than in the comparison group (79.2% vs. 51.1%, p = 0.004). After adjusting for background factors, the program intervention had an effect on breastfeeding rates (adjusted odds ratio = 4.68, 95% confidence interval: 1.57, 13.96; p = 0.006). However, comparing the pamphlet and comparison groups revealed no significant differences in breastfeeding continuation rates at 3 months after returning to work (69.6% vs. 51.1%, p = 0.07). Conclusions Program intervention was associated with a significant increase in breastfeeding continuation rates 3 months after returning to work. Randomized controlled trials are needed to make this program applicable in practice. Pamphlet intervention resulted in no significant difference. Further study is necessary after examining the contents of the pamphlet.


2018 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 30 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nnaeto Japhet Olusadum ◽  
Ndoh Juliet Anulika

The study is basically to examine electronic-voting in Nigeria elections as an improvement on the traditional paper voting with a focus on Owerri Senatorial Zone, Imo State. Worried by the frequent and debilitating incidences of electoral fraud and disenfranchisement of voters for unsubstantiated reasons, the study tended to sample opinion of respondents in Owerri on the subject as a way of strengthening democracy. Martin Hagen theory of e-democracy was adopted as theoretical framework. Hagen construes e-democracy as a strategic tool to strengthen democratic practices using the information and computer technology (ICT). The study is a survey attempt which made use of structured questionnaire to elicit information from respondents. Simple per centage was used for data analysis. It is our finding among others that e-voting will reduce incidences of election fraud especially in the areas of voting and counting of votes, and also the physically challenged qualified voters and citizens living and working abroad will have opportunity to cast their votes. The study concludes that Nigeria must cash in on flourishing (ICT) to fight endemic electoral irregularities in Nigeria through firm belief in and avowed adoption of e-voting. The study recommended among others institutionalization of legal frameworks and structures that will formidably support the practice of e-voting in Owerri senatorial zone in particular and Nigeria in general.


Dementia ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 17 (7) ◽  
pp. 924-935 ◽  
Author(s):  
HuiChen (Rita) Chang ◽  
Hui-Wen Chien

Objective To explore as a pilot study the effects of group reminiscence therapy upon depression of people living with dementia within dementia-specific day care centers. Method A unique pre-test-post-test, quasi-experimental design counterbalanced with a qualitative grounded theory video analysis of facial expression and behavior was used to measure the effects of group reminiscence therapy. The study recruited 21 participants in total from two dementia-specific day care centers. Results The findings highlighted improvements in depression, communication, and positive mood after group reminiscence intervention. The results also showed that participants scored higher on average during the Chinese New Year and marriage reminiscence activities compared to the other activities, revealing the subject matters extraordinarily significance. Conclusion This study provides evidence supporting the proposition that undertaking a cultural focus reminiscence therapy may produce significant psychosocial improvements for a person with dementia.


2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 49-62
Author(s):  
Cornelia Connolly ◽  
Raquel Hijón-Neira ◽  
Seán Ó Grádaigh

Research on the role of mobile learning in computational thinking is limited, and even more so in its use in initial teacher education. Aligned to this there is a need to consider how to introduce and expose pre-service teachers to computational thinking constructs within the context of the subject area they will teach in their future classrooms. This paper outlines a quasi-experimental study to examine the role of mobile learning in facilitating computational thinking development amongst pre-service teachers in initial teacher education. The study enquires if there are significant differences in grades achieved in computational thinking and programming learning when mobile learning is introduced. Findings showed and reaffirmed the positive influence of the mobile applications on the development of computational thinking amongst the pre-service teachers who participated.


Author(s):  
Shaukat Ali ◽  
Saddam Hussain ◽  
Iftikhar Ali

This study exploits John Milton's poems "On His Blindness, and "Methought I Saw My Late Espoused Saint" for teaching speaking skills to ESL learners. The study utilized a quasi-experimental design consisting of a treatment group (TG) and a comparison group (CG). CG was taught through conventional language text whereas TG was treated with the aforementioned poems. The main focus of the study was to observe the language learning behavior of the students of both TG and CG during language learning activities. The study therefore employed observation field notes beside the speaking type pretest and posttest as tools of data collection. The thematic analysis of the observation field notes indicated that the students of TG were confident, motivated, involved in, and excited about the language learning activities. On the contrary, the students of the CG were found to be hesitant, passive, and demotivated during the language learning venture. Consequently, the students of TG performed significantly better than that of CG on the posttest. The study recommends that poetry should be utilized for teaching the English language in general and speaking skills in particular.


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