scholarly journals Shaping Teachers' Perceptions of their role in the Digital age Through Participation in an Online PBL-based Course

2021 ◽  
Vol 19 (3) ◽  
pp. pp186-198
Author(s):  
Orit Avidov-Ungar ◽  
Dina Tsybulsky

Our research traced significant learning experiences of teachers enrolled in a Master's degree program in teacher education, in an attempt to understand how participation in an online course that employs the project-based learning (PBL) approach influenced their perceptions of the teachers' role in the digital age. Data was collected from 2014 to 2016 using: (a) a questionnaire gathering learners' personal and demographic details (n = 55) and (b) reflective reports on the learners' learning experiences in the course (n = 105). Content analysis of the data revealed that participants considered personal, pedagogic, and social aspects important in terms of the learning experience and this also informed their role perception as teachers in the digital age. Similarly, exposure to the PBL approach via an online framework directly influenced participants' learning experiences and role perception. The findings indicate that teachers should be given access to a learning experience combining online learning and teaching practice to allow them to form their role perception as digital-age teachers. Practical implications of the research relate to teachers' socialization in the digital age.

2015 ◽  
Vol 15 (4) ◽  
pp. 63-75
Author(s):  
Imriyas Kamardeen

University lecturers who aspire to provide an improved learning experience for their students continually, and be recognised for high quality teaching should embrace a critically reflective practice. Nonetheless, developing as a reflective lecturer is challenging, although there are pedagogical literatures as general guidelines. This study introduces a new pedagogical model of critically reflective practice to simplify the efforts for lecturers and to shorten their journey to becoming effective teachers. A two-phased action research strategy was adopted for the development and validation of the new model. The first phase operationalised the Brookfield’s four-lens framework to create a reflective teaching practice model, which was then validated with a case study in the second phase. The model offers a pragmatic blueprint for lecturers to build a career with sustained quality of teaching, which in turn translates into improved learning experiences for students.


Author(s):  
Congcong Wang

To improve English monolingual teachers' awareness of obstacles that English language learners (ELL) may encounter at school, in 2012 the author conducted a study to explore preservice teachers' perceptions of learning a foreign language online. No participant had Chinese learning experience and their interest varied. This study suggested that preservice teachers perceived their initial experiences as online language learners increased their linguistic, cultural and technological awareness, which would further benefit them when working with ELLs. However, it was unclear if teachers perceived they could transfer their awareness into teaching practice. Thus, this follow-up study explores in-service teachers' perceptions of linguistic, cultural, and technological awareness transfer in teaching ELLs by asking them to engage and reflect on their experiences with a Chinese language online course. This chapter proposes a model for language teacher linguistic, cultural, and technological awareness development and transfer, as well as discussing issues related to language teacher awareness transfer.


Author(s):  
Apandi Apandi ◽  
Devi Siti Sihatul Afiah

PROJECT BASED LEARNING IN TRANSLATION CLASSApandiProdi Pendidikan Bahasa Inggris, FKIP Unswagati CirebonEmail: [email protected] Siti Sihatul AfiahProdi Pendidikan Bahasa Inggris, FKIP Unswagati Cirebon  AbstractThis study aims to identify student learning experiences in the Indonesian-English translation class. This study uses a case study approach with data collection methods in the form of observations, interviews and questionnaires. Observations are made to obtain data sources from direct sources. Interviews were conducted to find out whether the places visited had historical stories, legends or folktales that could be translated into English, and also to find out the obstacles or challenges faced during learning using PBL. A questionnaire was used to identify learning experiences in the Indonesian-English translation class using PBL. Respondents were students of the 6th semester of the English language education program who took part in the English-Indonesian translation course. Data is presented in the form of descriptive explanations and also supported by graph data to facilitate the presentation. This study shows that the use of PBL provides benefits in forming independent learners, improving critical thinking and can improve attitudes in collaboration with peers. However, there are still obstacles and challenges in translation courses using PBL, namely at the beginning of the lecture in the form of less preparation time, adaptation with group mates and also the location of observations that are located some distance from the campus or where students are, and there are difficulties in translating cultural words found.Key words: PBL, Translation, Learning Experience


2016 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Trevor Moodley ◽  
Shelley Aronstam

Teaching and learning, an evolving endeavour, is associated with many factors, with advancements in technology, playing an ever-growing role in the classroom. It is therefore important to include the use of interactive communication technologies (ICTs) in university curricula of teacher education programmes. Universities ought to be creative in advancing autonomous learning among their students by providing opportunities for integrated and rich learning experiences. Accordingly, the purpose of this study was to intentionally integrate ICTs in the planning and delivery of foundation phase reading lessons. This was achieved by providing authentic learning opportunities to final year foundation phase student teachers through the provision of training in the creation of digital stories (DS), collaborating within communities of practice (COP) (peers and other relevant parties), and then using their creations in ‘real-world’ classroom contexts. The aims of this study were to explore student teachers’ perceptions and experiences of developing DS in groups with minimal formal initial input and their use of DS during foundation phase (FP) reading lessons in real-class settings during teaching practice. Data were collected via focus group interviews and participants’ reflection essays. The study’s findings indicate that the creation of their own DS provided rich, rewarding multidimensional learning experiences to student teachers. Participants reported that they found the ‘assignment’ to be of real value, since it was directly linked to classroom practice, and despite the cognitive demands of the assignment; the nature of the task nurtured, an agentic disposition towards their own learning. Participants further reported that the DS provided enthusiasm among young learners during the delivery of lessons and were of pedagogical value, despite experiencing some challenges in using DS during reading lessons. Participants were of the view that the use of DS in advancing reading and literacy holds much pedagogical promise, because it resonates with the this generation of digital natives, the present generation of learners who have been born into a world where they interact with digital technology from an early age.


2015 ◽  
Vol 3 (3) ◽  
pp. 244-257 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jos M.A.F. Sanders ◽  
Marc A.W. Damen ◽  
Karen Van Dam

Purpose – Based on the theory of planned behaviour and social learning theory, the purpose of this paper is to investigate the effect of training participation and learning experience on the beliefs of low-educated employees about their self-efficacy for learning. Design/methodology/approach – Low-educated workers of three different organizations (n=359) filled out a questionnaire at three different points in time, with a half-yearly interval. Regression analyses were used to establish the effects of training participation and learning experience on learning self-efficacy. Findings – Training participation alone did not affect low-educated workers’ learning self-efficacy, but a positive learning experience did contribute to workers’ post-training learning self-efficacy. These results support the relevance of positive learning experiences. Research limitations/implications – Follow-up studies could focus on the effects of learning self-efficacy for subsequent learning activities, establish which aspects of training contribute to a positive learning experience, and include contextual characteristics that may predict learning self-efficacy. Practical implications – To stimulate learning among lower educated workers, it is necessary that they have confidence in their ability to successfully complete their training. Trainers and training developers working for this specific target group of lower educated workers should aim to provide training that is a positive experience, besides being a learning exercise. Originality/value – The study is the first to analyse the longitudinal effects of training participation and learning experience on post-training learning self-efficacy among low-educated workers.


Author(s):  
Michelle Homp

This chapter reviews teachers' perceptions of the collaborative learning experiences when enrolled in an online course to determine strategies for engaging teachers in active learning and meaningful collaboration in an online learning environment. A survey was designed to solicit feedback from mathematics teachers of Grades 6-12 who have completed online mathematics content courses at the University of Nebraska – Lincoln (UNL) for professional development or for graduate credit. The survey specifically addresses the teachers' perceptions of the collaborative learning experiences during their online course. Combined with feedback from numerous course evaluations and the experiences of several online mathematics instructors from UNL's Department of Mathematics, results of the survey are utilized to determine strategies for engaging teachers in active learning and meaningful collaboration in an online learning environment.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 4-26
Author(s):  
Cole Maynard ◽  
Jose Garcia ◽  
Anne Lucietto ◽  
William Hutzel ◽  
Brittany A Newell

Engineering technology students revel in enhanced learning experiences that include the use of hands-on methods to teach the real-world usage of the tech-nical material. These learning experiences increase applied knowledge and retention in these students and others in related STEM fields. Using research-based learning theory in a project-based and team-based learning environment, the course developers transformed the learning experience from sterile lecture type courses to interactive experiences that enhance and build on the course concepts. Surveys were used to further delve into student perception of the learning experience providing faculty with an assurance that students have ful-ly developed a level of competency in the desired topic used in the interven-tion. The goal of this research is to further delve into the use of personalized learning to engage and encourage student growth. Course developers incorporated known practices of team and project-based learning theory when making changes to the course foundation. The application of project-based learning theory is based on literature reviews, and the results seen within similar technology and engineering based STEM disciplines. Course surveys were used to collect information from the students to further understand how changes to the course delivery impacted them and affected the learning environment. Initial results suggest improved student engagement, and engagement with course materials as a result of the transformation of class delivery. Evidence shows that the classroom experience is enhanced by this type of activity. Sup-porting findings by researchers in other areas show that experiential or active learning improves students’ understanding and engagement with concepts taught through project-based learning methods.


2016 ◽  
Vol 50 (4) ◽  
pp. 380-398 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ignacio Traverso-Ribón ◽  
Antonio Balderas-Alberico ◽  
Juan-Manuel Dodero ◽  
Ivan Ruiz-Rube ◽  
Manuel Palomo-Duarte

Purpose In a project-based learning experience, the detailed monitoring of the activities in which team members participate can be useful to evaluate their work. However, the project activity produces a large amount of data that can be hardly assessed by a single project supervisor. This poses a scalability issue if the number of users or projects size increases. In this vein, the purpose of this paper is to make the assessment of online learning experiences more sustainable. Design/methodology/approach This paper describes a learning-oriented collaborative assessment method, supported by an open data framework. Also, an architecture for the extraction of different indicators to facilitate the assessment process is presented. Findings The assessment method and the open data framework were applied to a project-based course on web engineering. This experience has provided positive evidences because the grade measurement was backed up with assessment evidences and calculated with less effort. Research limitations/implications At the moment, results indicate that apparently there are no significant evidences against the sustainable evaluation practices for students’ summative evaluation. Nevertheless, when more data become available, a more statistically significant analysis could be made to determine the influence of the assessment practices in the final result of the evaluated skills. Originality/value In contrast to various existing proposals for e-assessment, the strategy focuses on assessing learning experiences in software development projects. Also, the approach is based on the reuse of information from external process supporting tools by integrating a number of metrics in a non-intrusive way.


2012 ◽  
pp. 227-242
Author(s):  
Kate Thornton ◽  
Brenda Service ◽  
Louise Starkey

The shift to teaching online is not straightforward, and faculty new to online teaching needed to be adequately prepared and supported to ensure quality courses and successful student learning outcomes. This chapter outlines both the theoretical and practical influences that informed the teaching of a successful online course. These elements are reflected on and analysed in order to provide recommendations for future professional learning programmes. These recommendations include encouraging faculty members to reflect on their beliefs and values, helping motivate them to make the necessary changes to their teaching practice, ensuring that they are informed about digital age learning theory, and providing ongoing support for both the pedagogical and practical aspects of online teaching.


2015 ◽  
Vol 15 (4) ◽  
pp. 63
Author(s):  
Imriyas Kamardeen

<p>University lecturers who aspire to provide an improved learning experience for their students continually, and be recognised for high quality teaching should embrace a critically reflective practice. Nonetheless, developing as a reflective lecturer is challenging, although there are pedagogical literatures as general guidelines. This study introduces a new pedagogical model of critically reflective practice to simplify the efforts for lecturers and to shorten their journey to becoming effective teachers. A two-phased action research strategy was adopted for the development and validation of the new model. The first phase operationalised the Brookfield’s four-lens framework to create a reflective teaching practice model, which was then validated with a case study in the second phase. The model offers a pragmatic blueprint for lecturers to build a career with sustained quality of teaching, which in turn translates into improved learning experiences for students.</p>


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document