scholarly journals Exploring Student Readiness to MOOCs in Jordan: A Structural Equation Modelling Approach

10.28945/4542 ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 19 ◽  
pp. 223-242 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ahmad Samed Al-Adwan ◽  
Naser Khdour
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Online Learning ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Higher Education Institutions ◽  
Self Management ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Student Readiness ◽  
Technical Competency ◽  
Holistic Understanding

Aim/Purpose: The current study has been carried out to reveal students’ readiness to utilize MOOCs at higher learning institutions in Jordan. Background: Higher education institutions around the globe are shifting rapidly to reach learners worldwide by providing open education. In accordance with this universal effort, Jordan is committed to offering open access education that allows learners to access knowledge through the Internet and has launched one of the first Arabic “Massive Open Online Course” (MOOC) platforms in the Arabic region. Thus, students must be prepared and ready for this innovation in education. Nonetheless, MOOCs have been incessantly discussed and have faced wide criticism as an insufficient amount of research has been conducted on students’ readiness to be involved in MOOCs. The level of tertiary students’ preparation to utilize and attend MOOCs as a source of learning is unclear. Methodology: Structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to test the proposed model of students’ readiness for MOOCs. Convenience sampling was used to distribute a paper-based questionnaire to the students of three Jordanian universities during a period of four months from May to September 2019. Out of 700 distributed questionnaires, a total of 537 responses were returned giving a response rate of 76.7%. Out of the returned questionnaires, 69 responses were reported incomplete as most of the questions (>80%) were left unanswered; these 69 questionnaires were eliminated from any further analysis. As a result, a total of 468 questionnaires were valid for statistical analysis. Contribution: This study aims to contribute to the existing literature by examining the perceptions of higher education students in Jordan toward MOOCs. The current study extends the continuing debate about MOOCs with respect to determining which factors influence students’ readiness to participate in these courses. Specifically, this study investigates both the cognitive and psychological influential factors that determine the readiness of Jordanian students to adopt MOOCs. The proposed theoretical framework for this research is based on the work of Yu and Richardson, who developed the model of Student Online Learning Readiness (SOLR). SOLR is comprised of three forms of competency assumed to be important in examining students’ readiness for online learning. Specifically, these competencies are (1) social competency represent skills, capabilities, and a sense of control, which is necessary for managing social situations and developing and sustaining relationships, (2) communication competency, “the ability of an individual to demonstrate knowledge of the appropriate communicative behavior in a given situation”, and (3) technical competencies, “self-efficacy in technology”. Furthermore, the research model includes an additional competency: self-management of learning, “the degree to which a student perceives himself/herself as being self-disciplined and is able to engage in a greatly autonomous learning setting.” Findings: The results obtained from the SEM revealed that students’ readiness to accept MOOCs in their learning is significantly influenced by four types of competency: social, technical, self-management of learning, and communication. Recommendations for Practitioners: Facilitators of MOOCs should take into account that technical competency can be enhanced by recognizing that technical competency related to online learning should be developed, taught, and constantly reinforced at every educational level as a life skill. Additionally, facilitators and developers of MOOCs should be prepared to find methods to support and inspire student participation, and to recognize the importance of learning skills in the MOOC environment. Furthermore, facilitators and developers of MOOCs should increase the social presence of fellow participants in MOOCs, which in turn facilitates the attainment of collaborative learning. Recommendation for Researchers: Researchers may use well-established theories related to investigating online learning usage in exploring students’ readiness to use MOOCs. Impact on Society: A study like the current one would be beneficial for higher education institutions in Jordan to determine the key factors that influence students’ readiness and in turn develop active strategies to address students’ needs in order for them to adopt MOOCs. Future Research: Further studies may include additional factors to better measure students’ readiness to use MOOCs. The additional factors can be revealed by utilizing a qualitative method. Thus, additional studies may employ a mixed-method approach (both quantitative and qualitative) to accurately identify additional factors that may influence student readiness to student readiness to MOOCs and to offer a more holistic understanding of readiness.

scholarly journals Continuance Intention of University Students and Online Learning during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Modified Expectation Confirmation Model Perspective

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (8) ◽  
pp. 4586
Author(s):  
Ting Wang ◽  
Chien-Liang Lin ◽  
Yu-Sheng Su
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Online Learning ◽  
University Students ◽  
Emergency Management ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Higher Education Institutions ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Continuance Intention ◽  
Learning Modes ◽  
Expectation Confirmation

The prevalence of COVID-19 has changed traditional teaching modes. For many teachers, online learning effectively compensated for the absence of traditional face-to-face instruction. Online learning can support students and schools and can create unique opportunities under emergency management. Educational institutions in various countries have launched large-scale online course modes in response to the pandemic. Additionally, online learning during a pandemic differs from traditional online learning modes. Through surveying students in higher education institutions, educational reform under emergency management can be explored. Therefore, university students were surveyed to investigate their continuance intention regarding online learning during the pandemic. Expectation confirmation theory was extended using the task-technology fit model to ascertain whether the technical support of promoting online learning helped student’s complete course learning tasks during the pandemic and spawned a continuance intention to use online learning in the future. Data were collected through online questionnaires. A total of 854 valid responses were collected, and partial least squares structural equation modeling was employed to verify the research hypotheses. The results revealed that the overall research framework largely explained continuance intention. Concrete suggestions are proposed for higher education institutions to promote online learning modes and methods after the COVID-19 pandemic.

scholarly journals Internal Corporate Responsibility as a Legitimacy Strategy for Branding and Employee Retention: A Perspective of Higher Education Institutions

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 52
Author(s):  
Amir Ikram ◽  
Muhammad Fiaz ◽  
Asif Mahmood ◽  
Ayyaz Ahmad ◽  
Rafiya Ashfaq
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Employee Retention ◽  
Higher Education Institutions ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Organizational System ◽  
Internal Branding ◽  
Private And Public ◽  
Corporate Social ◽  
The City

Branding activities provide space to create internal culture, processes and a kind of organizational system which allows employees to use their abilities to their maximum. Internal corporate social responsibility (CSR) activities of an organization increase employee commitment, which ultimately enhances employee retention. There is a need to explore internal branding in relation to internal CSR for the sake of managing employee retention. Therefore, the study empirically examines the underlying associations among internal branding, employee retention and internal CSR. The data are collected from higher education institutions operating in the city of Lahore, Pakistan. The sample size was 377 faculties belonging to both private and public sector higher education institutions. The analysis is based on variance-based structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM). The findings reveal that the internal branding practices have a significant impact on employee’s intention to stay within the organization, and intrasample analysis suggests few comprehensible variations with respect to private and public academic institutions. The research article also provides insights to faculty, academic entrepreneurs and marketers, especially those belonging to developing countries and facing issues of branding and employee retention.

Predicting sustainable consumption of package-free bath products among students in higher education institutions

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Alvin Patrick M. Valentin
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Environmental Behavior ◽  
Higher Education Institutions ◽  
The Philippines ◽  
Integrative Model ◽  
Purchase Behavior ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Intention To Purchase

Purpose This study aims to examine the applicability of an extended version of the theory of planned behavior (TPB) in predicting pro-environmental behavior, specifically the purchase behavior (PB) of package-free bath products, among students in higher education institutions (HEIs). Design/methodology/approach Using a non-experimental survey research design, this study empirically tested an extended TPB model through structural equation modeling. The dataset was obtained through a survey of undergraduate students in three HEIs in the Philippines. Findings Environmental knowledge (EK) predicted attitudes toward purchasing package-free bath products. Attitudes, subjective norms and pro-environmental self-identity (PSI) predicted intention to purchase package-free bath products. Furthermore, the intention to purchase package-free bath products and perceived behavioral control predicted PB of the said item. Research limitations/implications The results imply that the addition of EK and PSI to the TPB is applicable in predicting pro-environmental behavior, specifically the purchase of package-free bath products. Practical implications The results showed how HEIs can encourage their students to purchase package-free bath products. Social implications The results highlight how social and economic factors play a role in promoting or inhibiting pro-environmental behavior among HEI students. Originality/value The findings support the inclusion of EK and PSI to the TPB for an integrative model that aims to improve the prediction of the purchase of package-free bath products.

scholarly journals A Multi-Analytical Approach to Predict the Determinants of Cloud Computing Adoption in Higher Education Institutions

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (14) ◽  
pp. 4905 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yousef A. M. Qasem ◽  
Shahla Asadi ◽  
Rusli Abdullah ◽  
Yusmadi Yah ◽  
Rodziah Atan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Cloud Computing ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Higher Education Institutions ◽  
Sem Analysis ◽  
Decision Makers ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Managerial Decision ◽  
Cloud Computing Adoption ◽  
Analytical Approaches

Cloud computing (CC) delivers services for organizations, particularly for higher education institutions (HEIs) anywhere and anytime, based on scalability and pay-per-use approach. Examining the factors influencing the decision-makers’ intention towards adopting CC plays an essential role in HEIs. Therefore, this study aimed to understand and predict the key determinants that drive managerial decision-makers’ perspectives for adopting this technology. The data were gathered from 134 institutional managers, involved in the decision making of the institutions. This study applied two analytical approaches, namely variance-based structural equation modeling (i.e., PLS-SEM) and artificial neural network (ANN). First, the PLS-SEM approach has been used for analyzing the proposed model and extracting the significant relationships among the identified factors. The obtained result from PLS-SEM analysis revealed that seven factors were identified as significant in influencing decision-makers’ intention towards adopting CC. Second, the normalized importance among those seven significant predictors was ranked utilizing the ANN. The results of the ANN approach showed that technology readiness is the most important predictor for CC adoption, followed by security and competitive pressure. Finally, this study presented a new and innovative approach for comprehending CC adoption, and the results can be used by decision-makers to develop strategies for adopting CC services in their institutions.

Teachers' transformational leadership and students' employability development: A social cognitive career perspective

2020 ◽  
Vol 48 (5) ◽  
pp. 1-15
Author(s):  
Shan Wang ◽  
Michael Yao-Ping Peng ◽  
Yan Xu ◽  
Violet Tinotenda Simbi ◽  
Ku-Ho Lin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Transformational Leadership ◽  
Self Efficacy ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Social Cognitive ◽  
Problem Based Learning ◽  
University Education ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Social Cognitive Career

Higher education policy and talent training are failing to meet the ever-changing expectations of employers and society in Taiwan, resulting in a gap between university education and employment. We used social cognitive career theory to explore the relationships between problem-based learning, teachers' transformational leadership, and students' self-efficacy and employability. Participants were 619 undergraduates from 12 Taiwanese higher education institutions. We performed structural equation modeling and found that there were significant positive correlations between students' self-efficacy, problem-based learning, and employability, along with teachers' transformational leadership. Further, problem-based learning and the students' self-efficacy were key mediators of the relationship between teachers' transformational leadership and students' employability. Implications are discussed for related issues and future research involving models of students' employability.

What makes better career opportunities for young graduates? Examining acquired employability skills in higher education institutions

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Peggy M.L. Ng ◽  
Jason K. Y. Chan ◽  
Tai Ming Wut ◽  
Man Fung Lo ◽  
Irene Szeto
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Hong Kong ◽  
Problem Solving ◽  
Tertiary Education ◽  
Higher Education Institutions ◽  
Employability Skills ◽  
Self Management ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Problem Solving Skills ◽  
Content Type

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to develop a conceptual model to examine key employability skills that match workplace requirements and foster employability.Design/methodology/approachThis research comprises a cross-sectional study from self-financing institutions in Hong Kong. The current study adopted structural equation modeling to examine key employability skills that match workplace requirements and foster employability.FindingsBased on the empirical findings, the acquired employability skills of young graduates are entrepreneurship, professional development, work with others, self-management, communication and problem solving. Moreover, higher education institutions should work closely with industry stakeholders to get employers engaged with the work-integrating learning (WIL) programs and subsequently equip young graduates for better employability opportunities. In connection with employer engagement, employability skills of communication, problem solving and self-management would be improved. Furthermore, entrepreneurship and problem-solving skills could further be developed for young graduating students working in SME organizations during WIL.Originality/valueAs a notable gap exists in the current literature to examine young graduates' key employability skills in the context and content of Hong Kong self-financing tertiary education, this research explores key employability skills of self-financed young graduates and the relative importance of employability skills across company size using a quantitative approach.

scholarly journals Students’ Academic Use of Mobile Technology and Higher-Order Thinking Skills: The Role of Active Engagement

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 47 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hye Jeong Kim ◽  
Pilnam Yi ◽  
Ji In Hong
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Mobile Technology ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Higher Education Institutions ◽  
Higher Order Thinking ◽  
Thinking Skills ◽  
Higher Order ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Active Engagement ◽  
Higher Order Thinking Skills

The academic use of mobile technology engages students beyond traditional classroom contexts. Over the past few years, higher education institutions have promoted students’ learning and growth by supporting their use of mobile technology. Mobile technology offers educational possibilities that can enhance students’ growth in higher education. The aim of this study is to examine the relationship between college students’ academic use of mobile technology and higher-order thinking skills through their active engagement and learning effort. The sample consisted of 456 students at a university in South Korea, and the data were analyzed using partial least squares structural equation modeling. The results suggest that the academic use of mobile technology influences students’ higher-order thinking skills directly, in addition to their learning effort and active engagement in courses. These findings provide valuable information for higher education institutions that seek to introduce interactive and technology-integrated environments.

scholarly journals ENTREPRENEURIAL BEHAVIOUR AMONG UNDERGRADUATE BUSINESS, SOCIAL AND ENGINEERING STUDENTS: A CASE STUDY OF A PRIVATE INDONESIAN UNIVERSITY

2018 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
pp. 94 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anggraeni Permatasari ◽  
Arisda Agustina
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Personality Traits ◽  
Undergraduate Students ◽  
Personality Trait ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Higher Education Institutions ◽  
Entrepreneurship Education ◽  
Design Stage ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Entrepreneurial Behaviour

Most universities or higher education institutions in Indonesia are developing an effective program supporting their students to become entrepreneurs. They believe that entrepreneurial behaviour can be developed through entrepreneurship education. Therefore, these universities continually improve their entrepreneurship curriculum by integrating theoretical entrepreneurship concepts and practical contexts within such education. The purpose of the research reported here is to compare the effects of personality trait dimensions on student's entrepreneurial ambitions and their behavior. The study used personality trait dimensions such as internal locus of control, need for achievement, risk tolerance and entrepreneurial awareness as independent variables. Quantitative methods, including Structural Equation Modelling (SEM), were applied for the purposes of data analysis. The research populations consisted of final year undergraduate students who had already undergone an entrepreneurship learning program in Indonesia. Data collection employed questionnaires distributed to undergraduate students drawn from three different faculties: Business Studies, Social Studies and Engineering, within private universities. The measurement instrument consisted of a Likert scale 1-7. The results demonstrated that private university-sector entrepreneurial education, by enhancing certain personality traits, has significant effects on the entrepreneurial behavior of students. The research findings can be used to monitor and evaluate the entrepreneurial learning process within higher education. The implications can be used for policy makers and educators to add value at the design stage of entrepreneurship course syllabi within higher education institutions. Keywords—Entrepreneurship Education, Higher Entrepreneurial Institution, Students Entrepreneurial Behaviour, Entrepreneurial Intention, Personality Traits, Indonesia Education Abstrak Sebagian besar perguruan tinggi di Indonesia sedang mengembangkan program kewirausahaan yang efektif untuk menciptakan pengusaha. Perguruan tinggi percaya bahwa perilaku kewirausahaan dapat dikembangkan melalui program pendidikan kewirausahaan Oleh karena itu, perguruan tinggi mengintegrasikan konsep teoritis dan konteks praktis ke dalam pengembangan kurikulum kewirausahaannya. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui pengaruh dimensi kepribadian terhadap minat dan perilaku kewirausahaan mahasiswa pada salah satu perguruan tinggi swasta di Indonesia. Populasi dalam penelitian ini adalah mahasiswa tingkat akhir yang telah mengikuti program kewirausahaan. Pengumpulan data menggunakan kuesioner yang disebarkan kepada mahasiswa program sarjana dari tiga fakultas yang berbeda, yaitu studi bisnis, ilmu Sosial dan teknik, setelah itu data dianalisa menggunakan Structural Equation Modeling (SEM). Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa pendidikan wirausaha yang menekankan pada sifat kepribadian wirausaha terbukti memiliki pengaruh signifikan terhadap perilaku kewirausahaan siswa. Temuan penelitian ini dapat digunakan untuk memonitor dan mengevaluasi proses belajar mengajar kewirausahaan pada perguruan tinggi di Indonesia. Kata kunci—Pendidikan Kewirausahaan, Perguruan Tinggi Wirausaha, Perilaku Wirausaha, Minat Wirausaha Mahasiswa, Sifat Kepribadian

Validation of Authentic Leadership Questionnaire in Pakistani Context: Evidence form Higher Education Institutions of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Fazal Akbar ◽  
Zakia Ali ◽  
Iqbal Ahmad
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Factor Analysis ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Authentic Leadership ◽  
Higher Education Institutions ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa ◽  
Authentic Leadership Questionnaire

This study was aimed to investigate the validity of Authentic Leadership Questionnaire (ALQ) in the context of Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) of Pakistan. Although, the ALQ has been used worldwide in different organizational fields, however, little is known about its psychometric features in the context of HEIs. This study is therefore an endure to explore its psychometric features in Pakistani context taking evidences form HEIs of KP, Pakistan. A cross-sectional survey was applied to know about the leaderships style in HEIs of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa-Pakistan. Data were collected from 1437 employees of HEIs through convenient sampling technique. The data were analyzed using Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) and Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) approaches. A factor loading of .40 was set as the item selection criteria for retaining in the scale. Using Principle Component Analysis (CFA), the four factor structure was assessed. Using Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) through AMOS, the results of this study showed that the four dimensional ALQ is a reliable and valid instrument in HEIs of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. The construct validity provided evidences concerning applicability of the ALQ in the same context. Based on the findings, it is recommended that the ALQ may be tested in other organizational cultures in Pakistani context to enlarge its scope in other fields of research. Leadership style, associated with working behavior of employees, is considered a significant predictor in the overall organizations' performance. Keywords: Authentic Learning, Scale Validation, Higher Education

scholarly journals Mediating Bullying and Strain in Higher Education Institutions: The Case of Pakistan

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (8) ◽  
pp. 2244 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ambreen Anjum ◽  
Amina Muazzam ◽  
Farkhanda Manzoor ◽  
Anna Visvizi ◽  
Raheel Nawaz
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Workplace Bullying ◽  
Higher Education Institutions ◽  
Adverse Impact ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Concerted Action ◽  
Research Findings ◽  
Female Employees ◽  
Victims Of Bullying

Although workplace bullying is a well-researched phenomenon, the specific way it unfolds in higher education institutions (HEI) remains largely underdiscussed. Based on the outcomes of a survey conducted across HEI in Pakistan, by reference to structural equation modeling, using Amos-20, this paper not only adds to our understanding of the scope and features of bullying in HEI, but also suggests strategies employers and victims could employ to cope with the adverse implications of bullying. The key findings of this research are: (i) a positive correlation exists between the degree of workplace bullying and strain levels; (ii) more frequently than not, female employees, younger employees, and employees in junior positions are victims of bullying; (iii) bullying and strain can be fully mediated only when both emotion-focused and problem-focused coping strategies are employed in synergy. In brief, although research findings elaborated in this paper draw from the specific case of HEI in Pakistan, this paper makes a case for more research, vigilance and action to understand the scale of the phenomenon in academia and to undertake concerted action to mitigate its adverse impact on specific individuals and HEI themselves.

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