scholarly journals Teachers’ Pedagogical Practices and Students’ Learning Experiences in an Ethiopian University Setting

2020 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. 205
Author(s):  
Tefera Tadesse ◽  
Catherine Manathunga ◽  
Robyn Gillies

There is a growing interest among higher education (HE) researchers regarding the relevance of measuring quality via the lived experiences of teachers and students. However, relatively few studies have examined more broadly the pedagogical practices and student learning experiences in HE. In addition, there is a minimal study that compared students’ perceptions of learning behaviors with that of their teachers. The current study explores students’ and teachers’ perceptions about the existing pedagogical practices and learning experiences by analyzing each group’s responses and examining similarities and differences between their perspectives. For this, undergraduate students (n = 536) and teachers (n =89) at Jimma University, Ethiopia voluntarily participated in filling out two separate questionnaires. The findings show that university teaching and student learning in Ethiopia face considerable challenges that originated from different sources of influences, including input, process, and outcome dimensions. As the study participants reported, they faced high challenges in teaching and learning mainly due to the shortage of required inputs and processes. The role of pedagogical practices and learning experiences within universities' quality measurement and developing strategies to use such data for continuous quality improvement are discussed.

2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Farhana Abu Bakar

When used for the purpose of teaching and learning, humour must be relevant and appropriate to the context. However, what constitutes appropriate and relevant humour is unclear. Past studies have focussed mostly on classifying appropriate and relevant types of humour. Additionally, students’ and teachers’ perceptions of what constitutes appropriate and relevant humour are likely to differ, meaning that the effectiveness of teachers’ humour use may vary depending on the context. With this in mind, it is important to consider teachers’ and students’ perceptions of the appropriateness and relevance of humour. For this paper, five award-winning teachers and 10 students were interviewed regarding their perceptions and experiences of the use of humour in university teaching. Four themes were identified that relate to teachers’ and students’ perceptions regarding the appropriateness of humour: Appropriate humour is relevant humour; Appropriate humour happens at a suitable time and in a suitable manner; Appropriate humour enhances teachers’ credibility; and Inappropriate humour is disrespectful humour. Three themes were identified related to the relevance of humour: Relevant humour is related to the learning content; Relevant humour is related to daily experiences in life; and Irrelevant humour is humour that students do not understand. On the basis of this study, this paper offers pedagogical suggestions for teachers who wish to use humour effectively by taking into consideration what humour is considered appropriate/inappropriate and relevant/irrelevant.


2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 221258682110070
Author(s):  
Ka Ho Mok ◽  
Weiyan Xiong ◽  
Hamzah Nor Bin Aedy Rahman

The COVID-19 pandemic outbreak has forced online teaching and learning to be the primary instruction format in higher education globally. One of the worrying concerns about online learning is whether this method is effective, specifically when compared to face-to-face classes. This descriptive quantitative study investigates how students in higher education institutions in Hong Kong evaluated their online learning experiences during the pandemic, including the factors influencing their digital learning experiences. By analysing the survey responses from 1,227 university students in Hong Kong, this study found that most of the respondents felt dissatisfied with their online learning experiences and effectiveness. Meanwhile, this study confirms that respondents’ household income level and information technology literacy affected their online learning effectiveness. Moreover, this study highlights the significant contributions of the community of inquiry, which places social presence on the promotion of a whole person development that could not be achieved when relying mainly on online learning. Findings encourage university leaders and instructors to search for multiple course delivery modes to nurture students to become caring leaders with the 21st century skills and knowledge set.


Author(s):  
Kingsley Okoye ◽  
Jorge Alfonso Rodriguez-Tort ◽  
Jose Escamilla ◽  
Samira Hosseini

AbstractThe COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted many areas of the human and organizational ventures worldwide. This includes new innovative technologies and strategies being developed by educators to foster the rapid learning-recovery and reinstatement of the stakeholders (e.g., teachers and students). Indeed, the main challenge for educators has been on what appropriate steps should be taken to prevent learning loss for the students; ranging from how to provide efficient learning tools/curriculum that ensures continuity of learning, to provision of methods that incorporate coping mechanisms and acceleration of education in general. For several higher educational institutions (HEIs), technology-mediated education has become an integral part of the modern teaching/learning instruction amidst the Covid-19 pandemic, when digital technologies have consequently become an inevitable and indispensable part of learning. To this effect, this study defines a hybrid educational model (HyFlex + Tec) used to enable virtual and in-person education in the HEIs. Practically, the study utilized data usage report from Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) and Emotions and Experience Survey questionnaire in a higher education setting for its experiments. To this end, we applied an Exponential Linear trend model and Forecasting method to determine overall progress and statistics for the learners during the Covid-19 pandemic, and subsequently performed a Text Mining and Univariate Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) to determine effects and significant differences that the teaching–learning experiences for the teachers and students have on their energy (learning motivation) levels. From the results, we note that the hybrid learning model supports continuity of education/learning for teachers and students during the Covid-19 pandemic. The study also discusses its innovative importance for future monitoring (tracking) of learning experiences and emotional well-being for the stakeholders in leu (aftermath) of the Covid-19 pandemic.


2015 ◽  
Vol 115 (1) ◽  
pp. 38-55 ◽  
Author(s):  
Judith Roberts

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to describe the development of new interactive, bi-lingual Sex and Relationships Education (SRE) resources called Tyfu i Fyny/Growing Up, suitable for students aged between five and 12 years. It also discusses the evidence used to support the development of the resources, the support provided for teachers and parents and an initial evaluation following their use. Design/methodology/approach – Tyfu i Fyny/Growing Up are interactive bi-lingual (Welsh and English) SRE teaching resources for primary schools suitable for students aged five to 12 years. These resources comprise of two components, an interactive electronic web-based programme and a floor mat illustrating a naked boy and girl. The electronic web-based programme is used to introduce puberty changes, loving relationships, conception, pregnancy and birth and is suitable for students aged nine to 12 years. The floor mat is suitable to be used with students aged between five and 12 years. Teaching activities can include naming body parts, discussing gender differences, personal safety, distinguishing between appropriate and inappropriate touching, discussing puberty changes and other health promotion activities as well as delivering aspects of the National Curriculum for Wales. Findings – The results from the initial evaluation undertaken with year six students and teachers demonstrates how the resources have impacted on the teaching and learning experiences of primary teachers and students. It also demonstrates how the teacher training sessions and using the Tyfu i Fyny/Growing Up resources have increased teachers’ confidence in delivering SRE. Practical implications – The learning experiences of students and their enjoyment of using the Tyfu i Fyny/Growing Up resources were significantly high. The implementation of teacher training improved teaching practice and increased teachers’ confidence in the subject. The resources have facilitated the delivery of effective whole school comprehensive SRE programmes for primary schools. These factors confirm the value of the investment given to their development. The resources could easily be customised in line with diverse ethnic, cultural, linguistic and religious requirements. Originality/value – This paper demonstrates how the Tyfu i Fyny/Growing Up interactive SRE resources have influenced the teaching and learning experiences of primary school teachers and students.


2018 ◽  
Vol 17 (3) ◽  
pp. 240-261 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anisah Dickson ◽  
Laura B. Perry ◽  
Susan Ledger

International Baccalaureate (IB) programmes are growing rapidly worldwide, driven in part by their global reputation and concept-driven, inquiry-based approach to teaching and learning. This thematic review of a range of literature sources examines the impact of IB programmes on teaching and learning, highlighting trends, challenges, and benefits. Findings of the review revealed that most of the studies, both qualitative and quantitative, examined stakeholders’ perspectives or self-reported experiences of IB programmes; a very small number used research designs that control for confounding factors or allow causal inferences to be drawn. A wide range of stakeholders report that IB programmes develop research and critical thinking skills, intercultural appreciation and global awareness, as well as cultivate collaborative working cultures and creative pedagogical practices among teachers. Challenges include extra demands on teachers for lesson planning and assessment, additional stress for teachers and students, and competing demands and expectations with national requirements. Recommendations are provided which may guide future research endeavours.


JURNAL RANDAI ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 79-96
Author(s):  
Wardiah

Low activity, student creativity in the learning process can result in the teaching and learning process being less than optimal so that the material presented is incomplete according to the expected completeness criteria. From the results of observations and discussions with the history subject teacher, information is obtained that the learning system has not fully involved students as the subject of learning consequently the final result to be achieved, namely individual and classical learning completeness with KKM (minimum completeness criteria) has not been achieved. One of the efforts made to improve the process and student learning outcomes, a learning method is used that makes it easier for students to compile and understand information or the content of the lesson text in increasing understanding of social studies subject matter so that learning outcomes are expected to increase, through the use of the SQ3R method. Based on the background of the problem, the formulation of the problem in this study is: "How are the students' learning outcomes increased through the SQ3R method in history learning for students of XII SMA Negeri 1 Tembilahan Hulu Indragiri Hilir? "The purpose of this study is to determine the activities of teachers and students as well as the improvement of student learning outcomes in history subjects through the SQ3R method for class XI SMAN 1 Kateman Indragiri Hilir. The conclusion of this study is that the student learning outcomes, before CAR the average daily test was 64.3, after the CAR based on the daily test cycle I increased to 81.8 and was included in the good category. In the second cycle of daily tests, it increased again to 92.8 and was included in the very good category. Thus, the use of the SQ3R method can improve student learning outcomes in history learning for class XII at SMAN 1 Tembilahan Hulu, Indragiri Hilir Regency


2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (6) ◽  
pp. 1-11
Author(s):  
Prue Gonzalez ◽  
◽  
Beate Mueller ◽  
Kevin Merry ◽  
Colin Jone ◽  
...  

In this Editorial, we take the opportunity to expand on the second Journal of University Teaching and Learning theme, Developing Teaching Practice. Building on Editorial 18(4), which articulated changes to higher education in the period roughly between 1980 and 2021, we believe it is pertinent to explore the changing conceptions of academic as ‘teacher’. We use Engeström’s cultural-historical activity theory as a lens to consider how higher education teachers are situated in the current context of rapid changes arising from the COVID-19 pandemic. We explore possible future purposes of higher education to consider flow-on impacts on the purpose of its teachers and how their roles might change to accommodate future expectations. We assert the need to challenge the notion of the academic as a person who is recruited into higher education largely because of their subject matter expertise and maintains strong commitment to teaching expertise that is grounded in scholarship, critical self-reflection, and agency. In our various teaching and leadership roles, and consistent with the literature, we have observed paradoxical outcomes from the nexus between risk, innovation and development, driving risk aversity and risk management, with significant (contradictory) impacts on teaching, teachers and student learning. The barriers to implementing innovative curricula include questions of do students get a standardised and ‘safe’ educational experience or are they challenged and afforded the opportunity to transform and grow? Are they allowed to fail? Related, do teachers have genuine agency, as an educator, or are they positioned as agents of a higher education system? We explore these questions and invite our readers to engage in serious reflexivity and identify strategies that help them question their attitudes, thought processes, and assumptions about teaching and student learning. We welcome papers that contribute values-based conversations seeking to continue exploring ways of dealing with and adapting to change in our teaching practices, case studies of learning through failure, change and adaptation and the development of the field.


2020 ◽  
pp. 1356336X2096212
Author(s):  
Antonio Calderón ◽  
Deborah Tannehill

Current cutting-edge research conveys that pedagogical change using models-based practice and integration of digital technology (DT) to enable teaching and learning is most successful when supported by a learning community. Overall, the research literature acknowledges that empowering teachers to believe in themselves and their ability to tackle these new curricular and pedagogical practices is key for successful implementation. Nevertheless, enactment of a new curriculum models (CMs)-based framework, supported by DT, has not yet been researched. Six physical education teachers with different teaching backgrounds and experience using DT for teaching and learning agreed to participate. Four phases were designed to develop teachers’ CMs pedagogical knowledge and technological pedagogical content knowledge as part of a collaborative, inquiry-oriented learning community. Individual and focus group interviews, and weekly critical friend discussions were used to gather teachers’ and students’ perceptions of their experience. Four themes reflecting phases one and two of the data appeared and evolved 18 months later and included planning, community, student learning, and the Phyz (app). The key take home message from this research highlights the power of a well-planned and structured inquiry-oriented learning community, its impact on empowering teachers to enact a new CMs-based framework, and the student learning that emerged.


2019 ◽  
Vol 21 (5) ◽  
pp. 62-80
Author(s):  
Débora Luana Kurz ◽  
Lucilene Piva ◽  
Everton Bedin

This research aimed to investigate the conception of chemistry pre-service teachers in the use of para-didactic books in the teaching of Chemistry, with emphasis on questions related to learning mechanisms, didactic strategies and discussion in the classroom. In the methodology, a questionnaire structured in two axes was used as a data collection instrument, which was made available to students of the Chemistry course of a community university in Canoas, metropolitan region of Porto Alegre/RS. This questionnaire, as an empirical part of this article, was analyzed in the light of Bardin's Content Analysis (2011), and its qualitative and quantitative data are expressed through figures and tables. In the data representation, after analysis and interpretation, through the conceptions of the undergraduate students, the importance of the use of this resource in pedagogical practices was verified, corroborating, in addition to the teaching and learning processes, with the improvement of teaching and, mainly , with the contextualization of scientific knowledge in the light of the socio-cultural knowledge of the student. Thus, based on the paradigmatic book, advances in school actions are expected to build and experience a new contextualized and meaningful narrative to the student, also contributing to the way of teaching and learning of the different teachers, providing them with a tool that has the scientific, epistemological and social foundation.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document