E-Service Delivery in Higher Education

Author(s):  
Matt Elbeck ◽  
Brian A. Vander Schee

This study explores graduate students’ expectations regarding website design in higher education. Focus group discussions and the Kano method are used to improve the college website experience of Master of Business Administration students. Student survey results (n = 110) suggest 23 features describing an ideal college website. Results guide college website design according to three need-based groups; basic, performance, and excitement to improve website value to students and ultimately student loyalty.

Author(s):  
Matt Elbeck ◽  
Brian A. Vander Schee

This study explores graduate students’ expectations regarding website design in higher education. Focus group discussions and the Kano method are used to improve the college website experience of Master of Business Administration students. Student survey results (n = 110) suggest 23 features describing an ideal college website. Results guide college website design according to three need-based groups; basic, performance, and excitement to improve website value to students and ultimately student loyalty.


Author(s):  
Donna Jacqueline Dey ◽  
Angela Lindsay ◽  
Patricia Thomson

Transitions can affect students throughout their time at university. This study aims to show the potential of an additional, non-assessed placement in supporting MA3 Initial Teacher Education (ITE) students with skills thought to benefit transitions. Much of the research around student transitions focuses upon transitions into and out of higher education. In addition, within the MA ITE programme, students perceive challenges in transitioning into Professional Practice during their four year programme. A pilot study was undertaken to support third year MA ITE students in developing skills and attributes associated with the enhancement theme of student transitions in higher education: self-efficacy; reflection; and connectedness. The study involved MA3 students visiting an Early Learning and Childcare (ELC) setting in one local authority, one afternoon a week for eight weeks, the aim of the placement being for them to gain experience in playing and communicating with younger children, prior to their official early years placement. Initial findings from student focus group discussions suggest that students perceived that the study did help to support them in further developing transition skills and attributes.


2018 ◽  
Vol 24 (2) ◽  
pp. 165-187 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yaw Owusu-Agyeman ◽  
Magda Fourie-Malherbe ◽  
Liezel Frick

Adult learners have unique educational needs that require attention from Higher Education Institutions, facilitators and industry. While several theories and policies have been developed to address the bourgeoning educational challenges confronting adult learners in Higher Education Institutions, not much has been achieved in the wake of growing knowledge and skills demands of employers. Using a mixed method approach, a survey (n = 200) and focus group discussions (n = 27) were conducted among adult learners who were also professionals studying engineering programmes in three diverse universities in Ghana. Additionally, interviews were conducted with representatives from industry and from the three engineering departments in the three universities. The study revealed that while the development of separate programmes for adult learners in Higher Education Institutions is not plausible in meeting the educational needs of adult learners, a different pedagogy could be used in addressing the unique knowledge and skills needs of adult learners. We present the implications of our study in relation to theory, practice and further research.


2017 ◽  
Vol 4 (4) ◽  
pp. 186-194
Author(s):  
Nadine Joudi ◽  
Ghada Chehimi

Lebanon has always been unstable on the political and the national security levels. The youth in Lebanon did not have the privilege of stability to engage in civic activities and become active citizens. The youth need to collaborate with adults to explore different issues and opportunities to develop civic engagement in their own society. This study is an exploratory research which reveals the need for constructive plans in higher education in Lebanon that will lead youth to civic engagement and competence. It also focuses on exploring the existence of university curriculum that fosters the actual implementation of civic engagement and civic competency programmes. Data were collected using a qualitative framework. University students’ civic competency, knowledge, skills, participation in civic engagement, attitudes and efficacy are assessed by using focus group discussions with students and instructors. The research outcomes provide a foundation for the sustainable interventions through the development of a university curriculum.   Keywords: Civic engagement, civic competency, Lebanon.  


2016 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 13 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bakadzi Moeti ◽  
Rabson Killion Mgawi ◽  
Waitshega Tefo Smitta Moalosi

Critical thinking is recognised as an influential attribute to achieve quality learning and teaching in higher education institutions world over. This interpretive research study explored the critical thinking among PGDE students at the University of Botswana. The aim of the study was to identify factors contributing to the application of critical thinking among teacher trainees. Data was collected from Cohort 2015/16 PGDE students, through one on one interview with 59 students and 2 focus group discussions comprising five students in each focus group between April to June 2016. The findings revealed that the teacher trainees had a lower description of critical thinking during interviews, but refined during focus group discussions; however, the students were wide aware of factors influencing their inabilities to think critically during their training. These finding clearly indicated that most students were not applying critical thinking during their training. Through the interviews and focus group discussion, the study also identified strategies to promote the application of critical thinking in areas of programme content, teaching and assessment methods and techniques, programme logistics and personal attributes. The findings are instrumental to various key stakeholders. Specifically, the findings inform education institutions, teacher educators and students on how to promote critical thinking during teacher training. The study was qualitative, as such the findings will not be generalised. As such a similar study is recommended among the PGDE and other students but using quantitative and or mixed methods to allow inferences and generalisations.


2018 ◽  
Vol 32 (6) ◽  
pp. 1001-1015 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fenio Annansingh ◽  
Kerry E. Howell ◽  
Shaofeng Liu ◽  
Miguel Baptista Nunes

Purpose Higher education (HE) institutions create, disseminate, share and exchange knowledge through relationships among people, processes and technologies. Knowledge sharing (KS) in academia enables people within the institute to develop practices which allow them to collect and share what they know. This often leads to actions that improve services and outcomes. Despite the opportunities, this sharing is not without implications as it exposes the knowledge sharer and recipient to a number of vulnerabilities and risks, which hinders the knowledge-sharing process. The paper aims to discuss these issues. Design/methodology/approach This paper adopted a constructivist approach, which utilised focus group discussions within three UK universities. These were identified to improve the usefulness and effectiveness of the knowledge-sharing process. Findings The paper concluded by purporting that by developing an understanding of the risks and opportunities of sharing HE, institutions will continue to grow, regenerate and develop knowledge. The results highlighted the plethora of risks and opportunities resulting from KS. These were further grouped into the political, social and organisational culture. Originality/value This paper addresses the gap of risks perceptions of KS in HE institutions.


2015 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ayad M Al-Moslih ◽  
Erik Driessen

Introduction. The phenomenon of increased and ubiquitous use of mobile handheld devices by medical students triggered the interest to explore how these students utilize their devices while learning. Methods. This study was conducted at the Medical College of University of Sharjah in the United Arab Emirates during the period February to April 2012. A total of 463 students participated in the study. A mixed methodology was employed where an initial survey provided the necessary preliminary data and purposively sample the subjects, followed by two focus group discussions to explore this phenomenon in depth. Results. The survey results demonstrated that vast majority (95.9%) of students possess at least one type of mobile handheld device. Most of these students (90.1%) used their handheld device while learning. Students used these devices in different contexts, varying between Lectures, Problem-Based Learning (PBL) sessions, Hospitals and other contexts were identified (32.4%, 30.1%, 20% and 13% respectively). Majority of students (83.2%) use their handhelds when learning individually on their own time, whereas about half of them (48.3%) use it in learning with friends i.e. collaboratively. Focus group discussions revealed several aspects of how students utilized their mobile handheld devices while learning. Five themes were identified, which demonstrated the resources and accessed content, contexts of use, activities that involved learning, with whom students learned, and what made them learn or not learn while using these devices. Conclusion. Mobile handheld devices facilitated students learning “on-the-move” on and off-campus in different ways. Students utilized their devices mostly to complement and augment their learning in different contexts. Students believed that a huge gap exists between themselves and their teachers in terms of mobile learning.


2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 81-92
Author(s):  
Izzatul Mardhiah ◽  
Andy Hadiyanto ◽  
Amaliyah Amaliyah ◽  
Ahmad Hakam

This study aims to identify the competencies developed from multicultural values ​​and local wisdom in Indonesian society in Islamic Religion Education in Higher Education. This research method is qualitative, the technique of collecting data uses interviews, questioner, observation, study documentation, and focus group discussions. The subjects were lecturers and students participating in Islamic Religious Education learning. The study results found two main components, the competence of Islamic Religious Education Learning in Higher Education, which is based on multicultural values and local wisdom, and the development of indicators and instruments for assessing attitudes. The contribution of this research is the revitalization of the curriculum on the learning outcomes of Islamic education in the affective domain and cultivate multicultural values and local wisdom through Islamic Religious Education Learning in Higher Education.


2015 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ayad M Al-Moslih ◽  
Erik Driessen

Introduction. The phenomenon of increased and ubiquitous use of mobile handheld devices by medical students triggered the interest to explore how these students utilize their devices while learning. Methods. This study was conducted at the Medical College of University of Sharjah in the United Arab Emirates during the period February to April 2012. A total of 463 students participated in the study. A mixed methodology was employed where an initial survey provided the necessary preliminary data and purposively sample the subjects, followed by two focus group discussions to explore this phenomenon in depth. Results. The survey results demonstrated that vast majority (95.9%) of students possess at least one type of mobile handheld device. Most of these students (90.1%) used their handheld device while learning. Students used these devices in different contexts, varying between Lectures, Problem-Based Learning (PBL) sessions, Hospitals and other contexts were identified (32.4%, 30.1%, 20% and 13% respectively). Majority of students (83.2%) use their handhelds when learning individually on their own time, whereas about half of them (48.3%) use it in learning with friends i.e. collaboratively. Focus group discussions revealed several aspects of how students utilized their mobile handheld devices while learning. Five themes were identified, which demonstrated the resources and accessed content, contexts of use, activities that involved learning, with whom students learned, and what made them learn or not learn while using these devices. Conclusion. Mobile handheld devices facilitated students learning “on-the-move” on and off-campus in different ways. Students utilized their devices mostly to complement and augment their learning in different contexts. Students believed that a huge gap exists between themselves and their teachers in terms of mobile learning.


2010 ◽  
Vol 3 (3) ◽  
pp. 55-62 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mary Beth Pinto ◽  
Phylis M. Mansfield

This study explores the thought processes college students use when answering survey questions on standardized course/faculty evaluations.   Thought processes are categorized as: System One or System Two, based on the framework developed by Kahneman (2003) and Stanovich and West (2000). System One processes are typically hurried, superficial, effortless, and charged with emotions. System Two processes are considered to be slower, more deliberate, thoughtful evaluations. Results from eight focus group discussions are provided.  Student responses were categorized according to their adherence to System One or System Two cognitive processing. In total, 59% of the student responses were categorized as System One. Implications for faculty and higher education administrators are presented.


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