scholarly journals Exploring reasons to attend formal teaching sessions among students: A self-determination theory perspective

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 70
Author(s):  
Andreas Fröberg ◽  
Linus Jonsson
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Teacher Education ◽  
Teacher Education Program ◽  
Qualitative Content Analysis ◽  
Education Programme ◽  
Self Determination Theory ◽  
Self Determination ◽  
Focus Group Interviews ◽  
Declining Attendance ◽  
Group Interviews

Among students in higher education, attending formal teaching sessions might be important not only for academic achievement but also to foster human values. Despite this, the low and declining attendance rate is a growing concern in higher education. This study aimed to explore what students believe teachers could do to facilitate attendance at formal teaching sessions in the physical education part of the teacher education program in Sweden. Three focus group interviews were conducted among students aged 20 to 35 who attended the teacher education programme. The self-determination theory was used as a theoretical framework, and data were analysed and categorised using qualitative content analysis. The analysis of the interviews formed an overarching theme that intersected with four categories. The results show that teachers might facilitate attendance during formal teaching sessions by providing opportunities for students to interact with each other; match challenges with skills; be engaged, enthusiastic, and caring; and outline the value and rationale. The study’s implications for teachers are discussed in the paper.

“Until I’m Just Too Old to Turn the Pedals”: Exploring Motivational Characteristics of Participants in a High School Mountain Bike Program

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kent Griffin ◽  
Karen Meaney ◽  
Anthony Deringer
Keyword(s):  
Self Determination Theory ◽  
Self Determination ◽  
After School ◽  
Mountain Bike ◽  
Focus Group Interviews ◽  
After School Program ◽  
Field Notes ◽  
Group Interviews ◽  
The Individual ◽  
Program Data

Self-determination theory (SDT) (Ryan & Deci, 2000) suggests that when a person is motivated they likely experience a sense of autonomy, competence, and relatedness. It is important to understand how these constructs relate to physical activity and sport if we are to persist in our notion that these pursuits can positively impact the holistic development of youth (Camiré, Trudel, & Forneris, 2013; Frankl, 2007). Thus, the purpose of this investigation is to examine the motivational characteristics of adolescents participating in an after-school mountain bike program. Data were analyzed via field notes, interviews and focus groups. Content analysis of the individual and focus group interviews along with field notes revealed that the mountain bike sport environment served to foster motivational characteristics as is described in SDT.Based on this investigation, students who participated in the after-school program (n=28) reported a sense of autonomy, competence and relatedness.

scholarly journals Student-teachers' Experiences During Practicum in Pre-service Teacher Education in Myanmar

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ei Phyu Chaw ◽  
Erika Kopp
Keyword(s):  
Teacher Education ◽  
Focus Group ◽  
Student Teachers ◽  
Education Program ◽  
Teacher Education Program ◽  
Focus Group Interviews ◽  
Doctoral Research ◽  
Pre Service Teacher Education ◽  
Group Interviews ◽  
Pre Service Teacher

Teacher education program differs internationally in accordance with the admission, assessment, teaching practice period, induction program, professional learning, initial teacher learning, continuous professional development, and performance appraisal systems for recognizing accredited teaching. Experts in teacher education recommends that the practicum is the focus and an integral part of initial teacher education program. In most countries, teacher education programs face difficulties in finding the proper role and form of practice. Referring to National Education Strategic Plan (2016-21) of Myanmar, practicum in teacher preparation program is dull and it has limited guidance and supervision. Moreover, very few publications are available in Myanmar that label the perceptions of teacher candidate on their practicum experience. This study explores student-teachers' experience during practicum in their pre-service teacher education program. The doctoral research will focus on the role of practicum in pre-service teacher education in Myanmar. This document describes the results of the pilot study conducted in 2019, July. The researcher employed convergent mixed-method design to collect data for the pilot study. Data collection methods include semi-structured focus group interviews and questionnaires. The final year student-teachers (N=23) who were enrolled in 2014 academic year at the Yangon University of Education are the subject of the study. The questionnaire consists of 27 closed items. Fourteen final-year student-teachers discussed their practicum experiences in two focus group interviews. Student-teachers' responses to the questionnaire are mostly positive. In the focus group interview, they mentioned their critical point of views such as their university program could prepare them to some extent for their practicum. There were some differences in responses to the questionnaire and focus group interviews. From the results of the quantitative and qualitative part, the researcher could learn some potential problem areas that can affect the whole doctoral research.

scholarly journals Preservice teachers’ reflections on diversity and on teaching diverse pupils in Norwegian compulsory school

2021 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Bhupendra Kumar KC ◽  
Stein Erik Solbø Ohna
Keyword(s):  
Teacher Education ◽  
Preservice Teachers ◽  
Focus Group ◽  
Education Programme ◽  
Theory And Practice ◽  
Initial Teacher Education ◽  
Focus Group Interviews ◽  
Compulsory School ◽  
Diverse Classrooms ◽  
Group Interviews

Abstract The purpose of this study is to investigate how preservice teachers reflect on diversity and on teaching pupils from diverse backgrounds. Following a qualitative research design, the empirical data were constructed through focus group interviews with pre­service teachers attending a 4-year initial teacher education programme for compulsory school in Norway. The thematic analysis of focus group interviews yielded three main results, namely differences are individual and considered natural, diversity as a value and challenge, and belief in practice rather than theory. Results suggest that despite their appreciative views towards diversity, the preservice teachers seem to be having a dilemmatic position regarding whether they should treat every pupil the same or differently. Moreover, the results point to the significance of establishing coherence between theory and practice in initial teacher education regarding the preparation of preservice teachers for their work with diverse pupils. Keywords: initial teacher education, diverse classrooms, theory-practice coherence   Lærerstudenters refleksjoner over undervisning og mangfold i norsk grunnskole Sammendrag Formålet med denne studien er å undersøke hvordan lærerstudenter i den fireårige grunnskolelærerutdanningen reflekterer over mangfold og undervisning av elever som har ulik bakgrunn. Studien er basert på et kvalitativt forskningsdesign, og data er kon­struert ved hjelp av fokusgruppeintervjuer med lærerstudenter i den fireårige grunn­skolelærerutdanningen. Den tematiske analysen ledet fram til tre hovedresultater: Forskjeller er individuelle og forstås som noe naturlig, mangfold som en verdi og utfordring, og vektlegging av praksis heller enn teori. Resultatene viser at til tross for deltakernes verdsetting av mangfold, opplever lærerstudentene dilemma når det gjelder hvordan de skal handle i praksis. Resultatene peker videre på betydningen av å etablere koherens mellom praksis og teori i lærerutdanningen for å forberede lærerstudentene for arbeidet med mangfoldige elevgrupper. Nøkkelord: lærerutdanning, mangfold i klasserom, teori-praksis koherens

scholarly journals Framing heuristics in inclusive education: The case of Uganda’s preservice teacher education programme

2019 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Proscovia S. Nantongo
Keyword(s):  
Teacher Education ◽  
Preservice Teacher ◽  
Inclusive Education ◽  
Curriculum Design ◽  
Policy Design ◽  
Daily Practice ◽  
Education Programme ◽  
Primary Teacher ◽  
Primary Teacher Education ◽  
Group Interviews

Background: Recent education-related research has raised concerns about the persistent exclusion of vulnerable learners in Uganda. The Revised Primary Teacher Education Curriculum of 2013 marked an ambitious yet inconclusive attempt to advance the implementation of inclusive education but has encountered deeply entrenched sociocultural exclusionary practices among education experts.Objectives: This study aimed to explicate education practitioners’ interpretations of Uganda’s flagship inclusive education programme in preservice primary teacher education.Method: Drawing on the conceptual vocabulary of frame analysis and the qualitative analysis of individual and group interviews and classroom observations, the interpretations of inclusive education implementation in preservice primary teacher education in Uganda were examined. The participants included policy design experts, curriculum design experts and classroom practitioners.Results: Three main findings emerged. Firstly, interpretations of inclusive education displayed a narrow framing heuristic of inclusive education as a perfunctory, daily practice rather than a pathway for reflective, inclusive pedagogical engagement. Secondly, the heuristic encouraged the treatment of inclusive pedagogy as a ‘label’ under a specific rubric referring to sensory impairments or disabilities – a historical device for sociocultural exclusion. Thirdly, inclusive education was a praxis but was misframed from its original intentions, causing tension and resentment among practitioners. These findings contribute to the debates on the sustainability of inclusive education beyond preservice teacher education.Conclusion: Uganda’s flagship inclusive education programme in preservice primary teacher education was fraught with tensions, ambiguities and an overt, urgent need for change.

scholarly journals What sparks academic engagement with society? A comparison of incentives appealing to motives

2021 ◽  
pp. 095042222199406
Author(s):  
Eva Sormani ◽  
Thomas Baaken ◽  
Peter van der Sijde
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Academic Engagement ◽  
Career Advancement ◽  
Self Determination Theory ◽  
Self Determination ◽  
Third Mission ◽  
Research Support ◽  
Joint Research ◽  
Subject Design ◽  
Joint Research Project

The pressure on higher education institutions (HEIs) to realize third mission activities continues to grow, intensifying the search for incentives to motivate academics to engage with stakeholders outside their HEI. Previous studies have found limitations in intrinsically motivating academic engagement; therefore, this study investigates the extrinsic regulation of motivations via incentives. The authors identified a broad range of incentives for third mission activities, belonging to four motivation categories: pecuniary incentives, career advancement, appreciation and research support. Drawing on self-determination theory, incentives (nudges and rewards) are empirically compared in a between-subject design with a sample of 324 academics from the business and economics disciplines. The analysis showed that nudges affect business and economics academics’ intention to engage with society in a joint research project. Furthermore, these academics responded well to incentives concerned with the research support motivation category. The findings contribute to the literature by highlighting the relevance of marginal incentives—nudges—in implementing appropriate incentives in HEIs.

Challenges of being new to Canada: considerations for physical activity

2016 ◽  
Vol 25 (2) ◽  
pp. 25-33 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kimberley D. Curtin ◽  
Christina C. Loitz ◽  
Nancy Spencer-Cavaliere ◽  
Ernest Nene Khalema
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Ecological Model ◽  
Qualitative Content Analysis ◽  
Research Question ◽  
Focus Group Interviews ◽  
Physically Active ◽  
Social Ecological ◽  
Qualitative Descriptive ◽  
Group Interviews ◽  
Multicultural Health

Immigrants to Canada are less likely to be physically active compared with non-immigrants, and the interrelations between personal and environmental factors that influence physical activity for immigrants are largely unexplored. The goal of this qualitative descriptive study was to understand how the experience of being new to Canada impacts opportunities and participation in physical activity. Two focus group interviews with immigrants to Canada were conducted. The first group ( n=7) included multicultural health brokers. The second group ( n=14) included English as a second language students. Qualitative content analysis was used to determine three themes consistent with the research question: transition to Canadian life, commitments and priorities, and accessibility. Discussion was framed using a social ecological model. Implications for practice and policy are suggested including enhanced community engagement, and organizational modifications. Overall, the development and implementation of physical activity policies and practices for newcomers to Canada should be centered on newcomers’ perspectives and experiences.

scholarly journals How are speech sound disorders perceived among children? A qualitative content analysis of focus group interviews with 10–11-year-old children

2021 ◽  
pp. 026565902199553
Author(s):  
Camilla Nilsson ◽  
Jill Nyberg ◽  
Sofia Strömbergsson
Keyword(s):  
Content Analysis ◽  
Focus Group ◽  
Qualitative Content Analysis ◽  
Speech Sound ◽  
Speech Sound Disorders ◽  
Focus Group Interviews ◽  
Language Varieties ◽  
Speech Characteristics ◽  
Animated Film ◽  
Group Interviews

The aims of this study were to identify children’s reactions towards speech sound disorders (SSD) in other children and whether these reactions can be related to specific speech characteristics. Six audio samples, each containing minute-long resumes of short animated film by five children with SSDs and one child with typical speech (TS), aged 5–9 years, were played back to 17 10–11-year-olds, during four focus group interviews. The transcribed interviews underwent a qualitative content analysis. The analysis resulted in five identified main themes of listener reactions, concerning the experiences as a listener, the perspective of the speaker, as well as observations of speech characteristics. Reactions of empathy were expressed towards a perceived misalignment between speaker age and speech production proficiency. Awareness of peer reactions are clinically useful, for the understanding and acknowledgement of everyday contextual factors of children with SSDs, during planning and motivation of speech intervention. The children’s self-selected terminology may serve future quantitative investigations to further determine the boundaries of acceptability towards SSDs as well as towards non-standard sociolects or language varieties.

scholarly journals Different forms of informal coercion in psychiatry – a qualitative study

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Veikko Pelto-Piri ◽  
Lars Kjellin ◽  
Ulrika Hylén ◽  
Emanuele Valenti ◽  
Stefan Priebe
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Content Analysis ◽  
Focus Group ◽  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Mental Health Professionals ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
Qualitative Content Analysis ◽  
Focus Group Interviews ◽  
Informal Coercion ◽  
Group Interviews

Abstract Objectives The objective of the study was to investigate how mental health professionals describe and reflect upon different forms of informal coercion. Results In a deductive qualitative content analysis of focus group interviews, several examples of persuasion, interpersonal leverage, inducements, and threats were found. Persuasion was sometimes described as being more like a negotiation. Some participants worried about that the use of interpersonal leverage and inducements risked to pass into blackmail in some situations. In a following inductive analysis, three more categories of informal coercion was found: cheating, using a disciplinary style and referring to rules and routines. Participants also described situations of coercion from other stakeholders: relatives and other authorities than psychiatry. The results indicate that informal coercion includes forms that are not obviously arranged in a hierarchy, and that its use is complex with a variety of pathways between different forms before treatment is accepted by the patient or compulsion is imposed.

scholarly journals Crossing borders . . . shifting sands: An investigation of Chinese students’ study experiences in the UK and China

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 451-472
Author(s):  
Kashmir Kaur
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Student Mobility ◽  
Chinese Students ◽  
Focus Group Interviews ◽  
Different Types ◽  
English Medium Instruction ◽  
English Speaking ◽  
Group Interviews ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Learning Issues

In the current landscape of higher education in the UK, international students play a key role. It is an environment in which they not only cross borders physically but also transition through various identities as they develop their professional and linguistic confidence and skills to fully access and contribute to their programme of study and beyond. The aim of this paper is to outline the results of an empirical investigation into Chinese students’ perceptions of their study experiences in the context of student mobility and English-medium instruction in higher education. It reports on a study of two groups of Chinese students – one group studying in an English-speaking environment, the other in their home country where instruction is delivered through the medium of English. Semi-structured focus group interviews were conducted at each site which focused on the transition of “crossing borders” for educational purposes. The data was analysed using thematic analysis (Clarke & Braun, 2016). The main finding was that both groups experienced remarkably similar learning issues, despite being located in very different learning environments and crossing different types of borders.

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