scholarly journals Piloting a Methodology for Sustainability Education: Project Examples and Exploratory Action Research Highlights

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (5) ◽  
pp. 312-326 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cory Jensen ◽  
Mohamed Kotaish ◽  
Aditi Chopra ◽  
Kiran A. Jacob ◽  
Taqdees I. Widekar ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Action Research ◽  
Leadership Skills ◽  
Education Institution ◽  
Wicked Problem ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Higher Education Institution ◽  
Research Perspective ◽  
Educational Structure ◽  
Student Projects

This invited writing shares the education methodology known as Wicked problem, Experiences, Available Resources, Solution-Innovation (WEARS) and results from applying a pilot education program with a group of international students. The pilot involved three components that contribute to enhancing leadership skills based on stakeholder informed or bottom-up change: 1) developing a professional competition, 2) proposing a WEARS project, and 3) initiating a related outreach event. Outlines of student projects are shared. Students’ interests in generalized sustainability related education topics were polled and results are presented as an average of the group. Reflection on conducting the pilot is also presented from an exploratory action research perspective. Potential translation to higher education sustainability related projects was a driver for action research. Several conclusions are shared related to the educational structure and content for application of the WEARS methodology at a higher education institution. Future research and iterations of the program are proposed in coordination with a higher education institution that promotes interdisciplinary education. Specifically, means to select program candidates and longitudinal study of overall impacts are proposed as necessary to continuously update the WEARS methodology.

The Correlation between Servqual Dimensions and Student Satisfaction

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 7
Author(s):  
Nur Zihan Abd Rashid ◽  
Tuan Nur Athirah Nabilah Tuan Ismail ◽  
Bibianah Thomas
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Service Quality ◽  
Student Satisfaction ◽  
Learning Experience ◽  
Sampling Technique ◽  
Education Institution ◽  
Primary Objective ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Higher Education Institution ◽  
New Findings

Service quality is a very crucial element in ensuring the competitiveness of various institutions. By having a good service quality, the reputation of the organization will enhance and thus become their added competitive advantage. In higher education institution, service quality is important to ensure the students whom are their primary stakeholders are able to have a good learning experience in which will then influence their satisfaction. The primary objective of this paper is to analyze the correlation between five elements in SERVQUAL dimensions (tangibility, reliability, responsiveness, assurance, empathy) and the student satisfaction. The questionnaires were distributed among the students in various faculties in UiTM Sabah by using convenience sampling technique and 250 questionnaires were managed to be collected for analysis. Overall, the result shows that the students are satisfied with service quality in UiTM Sabah. Specifically, all five SERVQUAL dimensions correlate with student satisfaction. Reliability, responsiveness and empathy dimensions have strong correlation with student satisfaction. Meanwhile, both tangibility and assurance have moderate correlation with student satisfaction. This study is hoped to contribute towards the new knowledge in the field of service quality especially in higher education institutions Future research is also proposed at the final section of this study to discover new findings from different perspectives of service quality. Keywords: servqual; students’ satisfaction; service quality; higher education institution; service delivery.

scholarly journals An Action Research on Design, Delivery, and Evaluation of a Distance Course in a Vocational Higher Education Institution

2015 ◽  
pp. 138-166
Author(s):  
Erman Uzun ◽  
M. Yaşar Özden ◽  
Ali Yildirim
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Action Research ◽  
Web Design ◽  
Evaluation Process ◽  
Education Institution ◽  
Design Development ◽  
Higher Education Institution ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Vocational Higher Education

In this chapter, the main purpose is to explain design, development, delivery, and evaluation process of a new distance web design course for the needs of students in a vocational higher education institution. It is important to highlight how wisely instructional technology was designed and used to mitigate problems to effectively support the course. Proactive action research was used as a framework of the study. This research focused on an analysis of the existing face-to-face course to mitigate its problems in the new design. Then, strengths and weaknesses of the new design in the new context were investigated. It is important to highlight that technology comes with its unique problems and opportunities. Thus, teaching in a technological environment confronts instructors with a wide range of pedagogical, technological, and physical challenges.

scholarly journals Validating the Scale of the New Ecological Paradigm (NEP) in Brazilian University Students

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. e16410413947
Author(s):  
José Francisco dos Reis Neto ◽  
Celso Correia de Souza ◽  
Taner Douglas Alves Bitencourt ◽  
Cristiano Miranda Cupertino ◽  
Patrício Lauro de Melo Neto ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
University Students ◽  
Structural Model ◽  
Environmental Attitudes ◽  
Education Institution ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Higher Education Institution ◽  
New Ecological Paradigm ◽  
Convenience Sample ◽  
Ecological Paradigm

This article brings within two purposes. First it validated the scale of the New Ecological Paradigm (NEP) and then analyzed the ecocentrist and anthropocentric attitudes of university students from a Brazilian higher education institution. The original NPE scale of 15 items was used, in the form of a questionnaire and applied in a sample of 241 university students. Before the self-completion of the questionnaires, the university students did not receive the basic concepts of environmental attitudes. Confirmatory factor analysis techniques were used to test the structural model and statistical procedures to describe the sample as to its properties of similarities between the groups of students. The NEP was reduced to 13 items, proving to be reliable and valid to investigate structured and multidimensional environmental attitudes of university students. When analyzing the segmentation of university students, it was identified that women presented a more intense ecocentrist attitude than men. For the other segmentation groups in relation to age range, area of knowledge, semester in progress and course period, they did not present statistically significant differences. However, overall, the scores of university students indicated more ecocentrist than anthropocentrist attitudes. The convenience sample of part of the courses offered by the higher education institution may cause a bias in the research, considering as a limitation of this study. However, with the confirmation of the two-factor model, the results indicate consistency and guide future research to activities related to the environment, such as sustainable tourism, preservation against environmental impacts, among others.

Students’ readiness for blended learning in a leading Malaysian private higher education institution

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Donnie Adams ◽  
Mabel Hwee Joo Tan ◽  
Bambang Sumintono
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Blended Learning ◽  
Education Institution ◽  
Learning Model ◽  
Private Higher Education ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Validity And Reliability ◽  
Field Of Study ◽  
Higher Education Institution ◽  
Content Type

Purpose Teaching and learning are being transformed by digital technology, where the present generation of students, termed millennials, are more adept with the increasingly digitalised world we live in. Following this, lecturers and institutions are adapting and adopting a blended learning model across disciplines, which now commands an entire domain of research and application. However, questions remain about how ready students are for a blended learning model of instruction. The purpose of this study is to investigate students’ readiness for blended learning in a leading Malaysian private higher education institution. Design/methodology/approach This study used a non-experimental quantitative research design. Data were gathered from a sample of 274 pre-university and undergraduate students using the blended learning readiness engagement questionnaire. Data was analysed using WINSTEPS Rasch model measurement software to determine the validity and reliability of the instrument. Descriptive statistics (mean and standard deviation) scores, (logit) value of the item and (logit) value of a person was used to examine students’ readiness for a blended learning model of instruction and specifically assess their readiness based on gender, age, ethnicity and field of study. Findings Findings indicate that students were ready for blended learning. Further analysis indicated there were differences in students’ readiness for blended learning based on gender, age, ethnicity and field of study. Originality/value This study provides insight into students’ readiness towards blended learning in a leading Malaysian private higher education institution, discusses implications for blended learning practices and offers recommendations for future research.

scholarly journals Modeling Learners’ Readiness to Adopt Mobile Learning: A Perspective from a GCC Higher Education Institution

2016 ◽  
Vol 2016 ◽  
pp. 1-10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohammad Shorfuzzaman ◽  
Musaed Alhussein
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Mobile Learning ◽  
Education Institution ◽  
Developed Countries ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Next Generation ◽  
Higher Education Institution ◽  
Study Results ◽  
Mobile Information ◽  
Readiness To Adopt

Mobile learning (M-learning) has gained significant popularity in recent past due to the explosion of portable devices and the availability of the Internet. The use of this specific technology in learning and training has enriched the success stories of next generation mobile information systems. While M-learning is being widely used in developed countries such as the USA, South Korea, Japan, UK, Singapore, Taiwan, and European Union, most of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries are lagging behind and facing diversified challenges in adopting M-learning. Thus, investigating learners’ readiness to adopt M-learning in higher education institution in the context of GCC is the focus of this paper. To this end, we introduce a hypothesized model to investigate learners’ readiness to adopt M-learning. The empirical study is conducted by analyzing data collected from participants from a GCC university using a survey questionnaire with the help of statistical tools. The results of the study will be valuable for policy-makers in designing comprehensive M-learning systems in the context of GCC. The implication of the study results on the next generation mobile information system is also discussed with future research directions.

scholarly journals An Action Research on Design, Delivery, and Evaluation of a Distance Course in a Vocational Higher Education Institution

2016 ◽  
pp. 414-439
Author(s):  
Erman Uzun ◽  
M. Yaşar Özden ◽  
Ali Yildirim
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Action Research ◽  
Web Design ◽  
Evaluation Process ◽  
Education Institution ◽  
Design Development ◽  
Higher Education Institution ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Vocational Higher Education

In this chapter, the main purpose is to explain design, development, delivery, and evaluation process of a new distance web design course for the needs of students in a vocational higher education institution. It is important to highlight how wisely instructional technology was designed and used to mitigate problems to effectively support the course. Proactive action research was used as a framework of the study. This research focused on an analysis of the existing face-to-face course to mitigate its problems in the new design. Then, strengths and weaknesses of the new design in the new context were investigated. It is important to highlight that technology comes with its unique problems and opportunities. Thus, teaching in a technological environment confronts instructors with a wide range of pedagogical, technological, and physical challenges.

scholarly journals Sexual violence in Indonesian University: On students’ critical consciousness and agency

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 153
Author(s):  
Ainal Fitri ◽  
Muhammad Haekal ◽  
Almukarramah Almukarramah ◽  
Fitri Meliya Sari
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Sexual Violence ◽  
Gender Equity ◽  
Critical Consciousness ◽  
Education Institution ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Theoretical Frameworks ◽  
Higher Education Institution ◽  
Higher Education Leaders

This qualitative study analysed how aspects of critical consciousness in students played a role in the issue of sexual violence in a higher education institution. This research involved students, lecturers, and elements of higher education leaders of a university in Aceh, Indonesia. For the data collection method, the researchers used semi-structured interviews. The data was analysed using thematic analysis with the utilization of critical consciousness and student agency concept as the theoretical frameworks. This study found that aspects of critical consciousness played a significant role in dealing with sexual violence issues in university. Without critical consciousness, students would potentially err in analysing the issue of sexual violence. Aspects of students' critical consciousness were also influenced by the structure or discourse of higher education in viewing sexual violence. The tendency of campus to be more concerned with its good reputation also exacerbated the handling and prevention of sexual violence cases. The implication of this research is the finding that critical consciousness and institutional structure influence each other, both positively and negatively. To deal with sexual violence, a university must promote critical consciousness among students and academics, create pro survivors’ discourse and underpin students' agency, and most importantly, strive to cultivate gender equity perspective among university leaders. Future research should focus on investigating effective pedagogy to nurture critical consciousness for supporting the anti-sexual violence agenda in a higher education institution

scholarly journals Impression management within the recruitment interview: Narratives of employees at a South African higher education institution

2018 ◽  
Vol 44 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vuyelwa Dondolo ◽  
Willie T. Chinyamurindi
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
South African ◽  
Impression Management ◽  
Meaning Making ◽  
Education Institution ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Exploratory Research ◽  
Higher Education Institution ◽  
African Higher Education ◽  
South African Higher Education

Orientation: Job interviews remain a popular platform on which organisations source talent. Interviewees seek to make an impression in interviews to influence the decision to be hired.Research purpose: The study explores why and how impression management manifests within the recruitment interview setting.Motivation for the study: Calls exist within the local and international literature for studies that explore the concept of impression management further as a basis to improve activities such as recruitment and selection.Research approach, design/method: An interpretivist research paradigm using the qualitative approach and the exploratory research design was utilised. In-depth interviews with 20 employees at a South African higher education institution were conducted. Narrative analysis formed the basis of the data analysis by adopting the three levels of the meaning-making approach used in previous studies.Main findings: Two major narratives emerged. Firstly, when exploring why impression management occurs in the recruitment interview, the strategising behaviour was identified. Secondly, when exploring how impression management occurs in the recruitment interview, the switching behaviour was identified.Practical/managerial implications: The study provides information that organisational strategists and recruiters can use to enhance not only the recruitment process but also the decisions informed by such processes.Contribution/value-add: This study contributes to the growing body of knowledge in an area of study that has received scant empirical focus locally and internationally. This can be a catalyst for future research on impression management.

scholarly journals Language Anxiety: A Case Study of the Perceptions and Experiences of Students of English as a Foreign Language in a Higher Education Institution in the United Arab Emirates

2016 ◽  
Vol 9 (9) ◽  
pp. 185 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rola Ahmed Lababidi
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Foreign Language ◽  
United Arab Emirates ◽  
Education Institution ◽  
Language Anxiety ◽  
Foreign Language Anxiety ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Second Phase ◽  
Higher Education Institution

<p>This case study explores and investigates the perceptions and experiences of foreign language anxiety (FLA) among students of English as a Foreign Language in a Higher Education Institution in the United Arab Emirates. The first phase explored the scope and severity of language anxiety among all Foundation level male students at a college in the UAE. In the second phase of the study, focus group (FG) interviews with students were conducted to gain a deeper understanding of the possible sources of anxiety about language learning and its manifestations, as well as consideration of the strategies that may be used to alleviate its negative effects. The findings indicate that some of the student participants in this case study experienced moderate to high levels of anxiety in the second language classrooms. The findings from the FG indicate that foreign language anxiety could be attributed to a number of variables. The results highlight a number of implications and recommendations for future research.</p>

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document