Group Dynamics in Higher Education

Author(s):  
Mehrdad Arashpour ◽  
Julia Lamborn ◽  
Parisa Farzanehfar

Although group work has been proven to be an effective method for enhancing active learning in the higher education, optimum planning is crucial for successful implementation. A deep understanding of teamwork dynamics and creation of inclusive environments helps groups to demonstrate their optimum performance and output. On this basis, the current research focuses on the important challenge of gender inclusiveness and required teacher interventions to encourage that. Towards this aim, three research hypotheses are developed and tested using student performance data in a series of individual, group, and hybrid assessment. Findings show the significantly different performance of female and male students in group activities. It is also found that instructor interventions to form gender-inclusive groups significantly improve group performance and output. This works contributes to the higher education literature by exploring dynamics of collaborative learning and interfaces with gender inclusiveness. Educators can utilize the findings to better design and implement team activities.

2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 15-22
Author(s):  
Bilal Ahmad Pandow ◽  
Nihan Kutahnecioglu Inan ◽  
Ananda S.

The flipped learning approach over the years has gained importance, especially in higher educational establishments that primarily focus on more personalized learning for the students. In this context, the current study evaluates a flipped learning approach which was implemented by a higher education institution from the Middle East region as a pilot project and analyses the impact of the flipped approach on the student performance from the educators’ perspective. The study focuses on different aspects like the impact of the flipped approach on student performance in a different type of assessments, the impact of the flipped approach on academic performance, learning and development, and academic support activities. Also, this article analyses whether flipped learning reduces the plagiarism cases, impact on student attendance, student participation in extracurricular activities, impact on student’s knowledge, influence on student collaboration, effect on improvement in the ability to solve problems and impact of this approach on helping students to take the responsibility of their learning and become self-learners. This study empirically identified the learning outcomes from a flipped class and provides recommendations for the educators and higher education institutions for successful implementation of the flipped learning approach.


2013 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 445 ◽  
Author(s):  
Isabel Buil Carrasco ◽  
Blanca Hernández Ortega ◽  
F. Javier Sesé Oliván

<p class="REDUTEXTORESUMEN">El nuevo modelo educativo resultante de la adaptación al Espacio Europeo de Educación Superior (EEES) presenta retos importantes para la universidad del siglo XXI. Entre ellos, destacan la necesidad de potenciar la adquisición de competencias específicas y genéricas entre los alumnos, y la de promover un aprendizaje activo y autónomo, involucrando a los estudiantes en su propio proceso de aprendizaje. El presente trabajo tiene como objetivo analizar en qué medida el empleo de la prensa como recurso didáctico puede dar respuesta a estos retos claves en la coyuntura del EEES. Para ello, se ha llevado a cabo una actividad de enseñanza-aprendizaje consistente en la elaboración de un dossier de prensa y se han analizado las mejoras alcanzadas en el aprendizaje del estudiante. El trabajo presenta un conjunto de indicadores, tanto de carácter subjetivo, en base a las opiniones y percepciones de los estudiantes participantes en esta actividad, como de carácter objetivo, a partir del análisis de las calificaciones obtenidas en el dossier de prensa y en el examen de la asignatura. Los resultados permiten constatar la idoneidad de introducir la prensa como recurso didáctico en las aulas universitarias. El empleo de la prensa ha favorecido el desarrollo de las competencias genéricas y ha potenciado la adquisición de las competencias específicas de la asignatura. Asimismo, a través de esta actividad, los estudiantes han participado activamente en su proceso de aprendizaje.</p><p><strong>ABSTRACT</strong></p><p class="REDUTITULOINGLES"><em><strong>The role of press in enhancing the learning process. An application in the EHEA.</strong></em></p><p>The European Higher Education Area (EHEA) has resulted in a fundamental change in the way that the educational process is implemented and organized. This creates an important challenge to higher education institutions to enhance students‘ specific and generic competences acquisition and promote an active and autonomous learning process, involving students in it. The present study aims to investigate the role of press as a learning tool in resolving this key challenge and responds to the requirements and principles established by the EHEA. In doing so, we describe the process by which we introduce the press as a learning tool and the activity in which we integrate this learning tool (press dossier), analysing students‘ learning improvements. Several metrics are presented that measure students‘ perceptions about the role of press in learning activities (through students‘ opinions) as well as student performance outcomes, both in the activity and in the course (through the marks of the press dossier and the course exam). Research results demonstrate the benefits of introducing press as a learning tool in Higher Education to promote and enhance student performance. Students who have participated in this activity not only have increased the specific competences related to the course, but have also improved their generic competences and have participated actively in the learning process.</p>


2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (4) ◽  
pp. 393-401
Author(s):  
Mohammadhiwa Abdekhoda ◽  
Elham Maserat ◽  
Fatemeh Ranjbaran

Purpose Flipped classroom (FC) is a potential approach that encourages active learning and enhances student performance while reducing the failure rate in education. This study was carried out to present the conceptual model of FC adoption by students in higher education. Design/methodology/approach This was a cross-sectional study in which 110 medical students from Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran, were selected by convenience sampling methods as the sample population. An extended technology acceptance model (TAM) was applied to determine the students’ intention concerning the FC adoption. A research-based questionnaire, the validity and reliability of which have been approved, was used as the data collection instrument. The data was analyzed by SPSS v16, IBM. Correlation and regression methods have been used in the empirical study. Finally, the authorized model was presented. Findings The data show that subjective norms and perceived enjoyment have a direct and significant effect on perceived usefulness of the FC approach (ß = 0.32, P-value < 0.05), (ß = 0.7, P-value < 0.01). Also, we found that perceived usefulness (ß = 0.67, P-value < 0.01), perceived ease of use (ß = 0.51, P-value < 0.01) and self-efficacy (ß = 0.43, P-value < 0.01) have a direct and significant effect on FC adoption. Practical implications This study extended TAM and presented a validity model to elucidate student’s behavior concerning FC acceptance. Also, in this study, five determinant factors that affect successful adoption of FC have been clearly identified. The authors found that the new approach of learning such as FC should be an effective, attractive and enjoyable method. Originality/value The findings of this study should be considered when successful implementation of FC is in progress.


1970 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 127-142
Author(s):  
A. Budi Santosa

Budget implementation in government agencies has not been effective even though legislation has mandated that performance-based budgeting should be implemented gradually starting in 2005. Some researches on budgeting found a disregard for the prerequisites for the successful implementation of performance-based budgeting, which includes participation, competence, and the clear documents and budgeting procedures. In Indonesia, the reform of budgeting begins with the issuance of Act No. 17 of 2003 on State Finance and Act No. 25 of 2004 on National Development Planning System, which is a product of legislation that became a milestone of reform in national planning and budgeting. In universities in Indonesia budget management system changes begins to be applied especially after the implementation of autonomy in the management of higher education institutions, namely since the issuance of Government Regulation on Higher Education as State-Owned Legal Entity (BHMN), Public Service Agency (BLU), even the latter leads to the State University-Owned Legal Entity(PTN-BH). The change of financial management is not without reason, but is intended to more financial management of performance-oriented, transparent and accountable, the estuary of the increasing good governance. Pelaksanaan anggaran di instansi pemerintah selama ini belum efektif, padahal undang-undang telah mengamanatkan bahwa pelaksanaan penganggaran berbasis kinerja hendaknya dapat dilaksanakan secara bertahap mulai tahun 2005. Beberapa hasil penelitian tentang penganggaran menunjukan adanya pengabaian terhadap prasayarat keberhasilan pelaksanaan penganggaran berbasis kinerja, yang antara lain ditentukan oleh faktor-faktor pendukung seperti partisipasi, kompetensi, dan adanya kelengkapan dokumen dan prosedur penganggaran secara jelas. Di Indonesia, reformasi bidang penganggaran diawali dengan terbitnya Undang-undang Nomor 17 Tahun 2003 tentang Keuangan Negara Undangundang Nomor 25 Tahun 2004 tentang Sistem Perencanaan Pembangunan Nasional merupakan produk undang-undang yang menjadi tonggak sejarah reformasi di bidang perencanaan dan penganggaran nasional. Di lingkungan perguruan tinggi Indonesia perubahan sistem manajemen anggaran mulai diterapkan terutama setelah dilaksanakannya otonomi dalam pengelolaan lembaga pendidikan tinggi, yaitu sejak diterbitkannya Peraturan Pemerintah tentang Perguruan Tinggi sebagai BHMN, BLU, bahkan yang terakhir ini mengarah pada PTN-BH. Perubahan arah pengelolaan keuangan tersebut tidak tanpa alasan, namun dimaksudkan agar pengeloaan keuangan lebih berorientasi pada kinerja, transparan dan akuntabel, yang muaranya tentu pada meningkatnya good governance.


2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (14) ◽  
pp. 7673
Author(s):  
Tarquino Sánchez-Almeida ◽  
David Naranjo ◽  
Raquel Gilar-Corbi ◽  
Jessica Reina

In Ecuador, affirmative action policies enable students from vulnerable groups to preferentially enter universities. However, these policies are limited to admission and do not include academic or socio-economic support mechanisms that, according to the literature, promote student insertion in the higher education system. In this study, the effects of socio-academic intervention on the academic performance of vulnerable students are presented. For this, 41 students were selected among 164 vulnerable students entering the Escuela Politécnica Nacional in the second term of 2019. The 41 students attended a socio-academic intervention course for one term, while the remaining 123 attended the Escuela Politécnica Nacional levelling course directly. Once both groups of students finished the levelling course, their performance in each of the course subjects was compared. The results showed that the academic performance of the students in the intervention was significantly higher in mathematics and geometry compared to the students who had no intervention. These results show that the socio-academic intervention promotes the real insertion of vulnerable students in the university system.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sam M. Mwando ◽  
Amin Issa ◽  
Verinjaerako Kangotue

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine the perception of university staff and students in implementing flexible working arrangements (FWA) to increase space efficiency, lower overheads and improve productivity at the Namibia University of Science and Technology. Design/methodology/approach Data was collected using questionnaires, interviews and document searches. A total of 253 university staff (academic and support) and students were surveyed to solicit their perceptions on the extent to which FWA could be implemented to ensure space optimisation, minimise property related costs and improve employee productivity. Findings The study confirms that the successful implementation of FWA needs coordinated institutional policy to effectively support and cater to university staff’s different needs while meeting those of the university. Implementing FWA may reduce demand on utilities resulting in lower overheads for the institution. Based on the findings, the study is inconclusive on whether FWA improves or reduces staff productivity. Practical implications In the era of austerity measures in institutions of higher education (IHE), with rapid advances in communication information technologies, FWA are not only a possibility but inevitable to ensure optimal use of space, lower operating costs and improved work productivity. This study provides a cursory understanding of the possibility to implementing FWA in higher education. Originality/value This study contributes to the FWA body of knowledge from the perspective of both academic, non-academic staff and students in IHE.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Bayu Rima Aditya ◽  
Ridi Ferdiana ◽  
Sri Suning Kusumawardani

PurposeExisting literature has reported a barrier list that could affect the implementation of digital transformation in higher education, yet the research question of how to identify barriers remained unanswered. Thus, this study intended to address this gap.Design/methodology/approachThe research design adopted a mixed-methods approach based on the problem-centered design science research (DSR) process model for the development and evaluation of framework.FindingsThis study proposed a systematic framework of three sets of components: (1) the initial set of barriers; (2) the barrier rating scheme and (3) the barrier scoring matrix. The three-component of the framework is to identify and prioritize barriers to the successful implementation of digital transformation in higher education.Research limitations/implicationsThe evaluation of the framework was only based on an expert opinion.Practical implicationsThis study provided a direction to the policymakers for designing sensible strategies to increase the chances of a successful digital transformation in higher education.Originality/valueThis study contributes to the knowledge body by offering a more systematic understanding of barriers to digital transformation in higher education.


Author(s):  
Mamokgadi Z. Masete ◽  
Chengedzai Mafini

Background: The demand for higher education in South Africa continues to increase, placing pressure on public higher education institutions to satisfy this demand. Supply chain management is one of the practices that may be implemented to ensure that public universities improve their operations and can, therefore, meet the increased demand for higher education in the country.Objectives: This study aimed to explore the barriers to the implementation of supply chain management practices at a South African public university.Method: The study used a qualitative case study approach using a sample of 17 members of management and staff at a South African traditional university in the Limpopo Province. Data were collected using a combination of a focus group discussion and semi-structured in-depth interviews.Results: The study generated eight themes that embody the barriers to the implementation of supply chain management at the institution. These themes were labelled as stakeholder buy-in, knowledge of supply chain management, supply chain systems and processes, procurement policy and practices, implementation of supply chain management, stakeholder change management, human resource management and organisational culture.Conclusion: Various internal barriers impair the implementation of supply chain management practices at the institution. Administration at the institution has invested limited resources, time and initiatives to ensure the successful implementation of supply chain management. The focus should be directed to finding lasting solutions to each of the barriers identified in this study. Further studies should address the issue of external barriers to supply chain management in public higher education institutions.


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