Students’ motivation for studying isiZulu first language modules at the University of KwaZulu-Natal

2021 ◽  
Vol 54 (2) ◽  
pp. 11-33
Author(s):  
N.S. Zulu ◽  
Hloniphani Ndebele

This article presents findings of a study conducted at the University of KwaZulu-Natal’s Department of African Languages on the motivation of isiZulu first language (L1) undergraduate students for studying isiZulu first language modules. In this paper, we postulate that students’ motivation for learning an African language in the South African context is a result of multiple variables that relate to relevance and socio cultural implications of the concerned language, and the effects of the pervasiveness of English in the social, cultural, economic and political spheres of life. Understanding student motivation for studying African languages as L1 is vital as an additional measure in transforming curricula in order to satisfy the multilingual needs of the global world by enforcing additive bilingualism that embraces African languages. Questionnaires were used, and the responses were analysed thematically to determine students’ motivation to enrol for isiZulu modules. The findings of the study reveal intrinsic and extrinsic motivational factors, among them, the use of isiZulu for teaching and learning, cultural affi liation and identity, career trajectories, peer and/or family pressure and a poor selection, or a lack of course alternatives.

2016 ◽  
Vol 9 (9) ◽  
pp. 250
Author(s):  
Ukeme Ekpedeme Umoh ◽  
Etuk Nssien Etuk

<p class="apa">The study examined ‘Students’ Involvement in Social Networking and attitudes towards its Integration into Teaching. The study was carried out in the University of Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. The population of the study consisted of 17,618 undergraduate students enrolled into full time degree programmes in the University of Uyo for 2014/2015 academic session. The design of the study was survey design with ex-post facto approach. Random sampling technique was used to select 1730 students from the 12 faculties in the University. The instrument used for the study was ‘Students’ Social Networking and Attitude Questionnaire which was validated by an expert in curriculum studies and an expert in measurement and evaluation in the University of Uyo. Cronbach’s Alpha Statistical method was used to determine the reliability coefficient of .70 for the instrument. Two research questions and two null hypotheses tested at .05 level of significance guided the study. Mean and Standard Deviation were used to answer research questions; Independent t-test and Analysis of Variance were used to test the hypotheses. The results show that there is significant difference in involvement of university undergraduate students in Social Networking based on course of study, level (year) of study and age. Female undergraduate students’ involvement in social networking is higher than that of their male counterparts; but male undergraduate students showed a higher positive attitude towards integration of social networking into teaching and learning.</p>


Author(s):  
Diego Fogaça Carvalho ◽  
Marinez Meneghello Passos ◽  
Sergio De Mello Arruda ◽  
Angela Marta Pereira das Dores Savioli

ResumoNeste artigo analisamos as relações com o saber, com o ensinar e com o aprender em atividades desenvolvidas em um subprojeto de Matemática no Programa Institucional de Bolsas de Iniciação à Docência (PIBID). Os dados consistiram no registro das ações realizadas em sala de aula por um supervisor (professor), seis estudantes da licenciatura em Matemática e alunos do Ensino Fundamental de uma escola pública do estado do Paraná, Brasil. Para a interpretação dos dados foi utilizado um instrumento que possibilita evidenciar as relações com o saber na sala de aula denominado Matriz 3x3. As análises revelaram implicações da ação do supervisor na ação tanto dos estudantes universitários quanto dos alunos da escola e, consequentemente, nas relações que estes estabeleceram com o saber, o ensinar e o aprender.AbstractIn this article we analyze the relationship with knowledge, with teaching and with learning in activities developed in a subproject of Mathematics in the Institutional Program of Initiation to Teaching (PIBID). The data consisted of the registration of actions carried out in the classroom by a supervisor (teacher), six undergraduate students in Mathematics and students of the Elementary School of a public school in the state of Paraná, Brazil. For the interpretation of the data we used an analytical instrument called Matrix 3x3. The analyses revealed the implications of the supervisor's action on the actions of the university students and of the school students and consequently on the relationships they established with knowledge, teaching and learning.


Author(s):  
John Stoszkowski

Flipgrid is an online video discussion platform designed to empower learners and facilitate social interaction between students. This paper reviews the use of Flipgrid to develop social learning with a cohort of undergraduate students at the University of Central Lancashire. Strengths and weaknesses of the Flipgrid platform are outlined, as well as potential barriers to its use, and future plans for incorporating it in teaching and learning.


2016 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 99-104
Author(s):  
Alexsandra Martins Da Silva ◽  
Camila Zanesco ◽  
Angélica Ribolli Cazarotto ◽  
Felipe Tecchio Borsoi ◽  
Camila Dervanoski ◽  
...  

Resumo: Este trabalho foi uma iniciativa do projeto “Ciências Biológicas – Uma Forma de Integrar e Construir a Prática Experimental”, cuja ação de destaque foi o incentivo ao ensino de Ciências Biológicas para alunos de ensino médio de dois municípios. Foram oferecidas aulas teóricas e práticas em laboratórios da Universidade Federal da Fronteira Sul (UFFS), promovendo o contato de alunos e professores de escolas públicas com a universidade. Neste contexto, foi possível aproximá-los de atividades, materiais e equipamentos de prática científica e de ensino nas áreas de Ciências Biológicas, visando melhorias das condições de aprendizagem e estimulando os jovens dessas escolas para a participação no meio acadêmico-científico, aumentando a interação universidade/escola pública. Foram atendidas 15 turmas, totalizando cerca de 320 estudantes, que presenciaram as aulas de “Microscopia, células e tecidos”, “Tipagem sanguínea” e “Biodecomposição de alimentos orgânicos”. Esse trabalho possibilitou que os alunos tivessem contato prévio com o mundo das ciências e os incentivou para ingressar na universidade. Já os professores que acompanharam os alunos se sentiram instigados a manter a criatividade em sala de aula. Para os acadêmicos envolvidos, o projeto possibilitou o crescimento pessoal, instigando os mesmos a desenvolver aptidões, além do que lhes é ensinado em sala de aula. Palavras-chave: Práticas laboratoriais, ensino-aprendizagem, escola pública, extensão universitária.   The teaching of Biological Sciences - a theoretical and practical experience with students of high public schools Abstract: This article promotes the project ‘Ciências Biológicas – Uma Forma de Integrar e Construir a Prática Experimental’ (Biological Sciences – a way to integrate and to build experimental practices).  This initiative encouraged the teaching of biological sciences to high school students of two municipalities. Theoretical and practical classes were offered in the university labs of Universidade Federal Fronteira Sul –UFFS (Chapecó, Santa Catarina State, Brazil) in order to promote the contact of students and teachers of public schools with the university. In this context, it was possible to put the students in contact with procedures, equipments scientific and teaching practices in the areas of Biological Sciences. These activities aimed at improving learning and stimulating the students from the schools in which were part of the academic and scientific community, and as a result, to promote the interaction between university and public schools. Fifteen student groups took part in the project, which totaled around 320 students who had lessons on microscopy, cells and tissues, blood typing and biological decomposition of organic food. This project encouraged students that had a previous contact with the world of science to enter university. In addition, the teachers who accompanied the students were encouraged to continue being creative in their classes. For the undergraduate students involved, the project enabled personal growth and encouraged them to develop skills beyond what they were taught in the classroom. Key-words: Laboratory Practices, Teaching and Learning, Public School, University Extension.   La enseñanza de Ciencias Biológicas - una experiencia teórica y práctica con los estudiantes de la escuela secundaria en escuelas públicas Resumen: En este artículo, se hace un relato de un trabajo que tuvo una iniciativa del proyecto ‘Ciências Biológicas – Uma Forma de Integrar e Construir a Prática Experimental’ (Ciencias Biológicas – Una Forma de Integrar y Construir la Práctica Experimental), cuya acción principal fue el incentivo a la enseñanza de Ciencias Biológicas para alumnos de enseñanza media de dos municipios. Se les ofreció clases teóricas y prácticas en los laboratorios de la Universidade Federal da Fronteira Sul – UFFS (Santa Catarina, sur de Brasil) promoviendo el contacto de alumnos y profesores de escuelas públicas con la universidad. En este espacio, fue posible aproximarlos a actividades, materiales y equipamientos de la práctica científica y de la enseñanza en las áreas de Ciencias Biológicas, buscando mejorías en las condiciones de aprendizaje y estimular los jóvenes de esas escuelas a la participación en el medio académico-científico, aumentando la interacción universidad/escuela pública. Han sido atendidos 15 grupos y cerca de 320 estudiantes, que fueron testigos de las lecciones de “Microscopía, células y tejidos”, “Tipo sanguíneo”, y “Biodescomposición de alimentos orgánicos”. Ese trabajo ha posibilitado que los alumnos tuvieran un contacto previo con el mundo de las ciencias y los ha incentivado a ingresar a la universidad. Por otro lado, los docentes que han acompañado a los alumnos se han sentido instigados a mantener la creatividad en las clases. Para los académicos involucrados, el proyecto ha posibilitado el crecimiento personal, instigándolos a crear aptitudes, más allá de lo que les es enseñado en el salón de clase. Palabras-clave: Extensión Universitaria, Popularización de la Ciencia, Escuela Secundaria, Enseñanza Científica.


Author(s):  
Asako Yoshida

In this exploratory study, a subject librarian and a writing instructor investigated the potential of designing blended learning around research paper assignments in the context of two foundational courses in the Faculty of Human Ecology at the University of Manitoba, Canada. The objective was to explore alternative, more embedded learning support for undergraduate students. The significance of blended learning support was situated in the broader literature of the teaching and learning practices in higher education. In this case study, descriptions of blended learning support for facilitating student learning, and of the main barrier to its implementation are provided. Based on what was learned in the exploratory study, the chapter provides working guidelines for designing and developing blended learning support, mainly drawing from Butler and Cartier’s (2004) research on academic engagement.


2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (5) ◽  
pp. 250
Author(s):  
Abdul Hameed Panhwar ◽  
Shah Nawaz Barich ◽  
Syed Khuram Shahzad

The present study is based on a chapter of the PhD project conducted by the main researcher. It aims to explore the ESL teaching and learning practices in a Pakistani university by focusing on difficulties perceived and confronted by learners and teachers, and solutions suggested by them. One of the most significant issues at the university is large classes-exceeding to 100 and more students on average. The main researcher, being an ESL teacher at the target university, faced the same problem of large size and found it difficult to teach these classes. He embarked on analysing the situation so that he might come across some solutions through the suggestions and experiences of the ESL teachers and students of the same university. The design of the study is descriptive and the results of the present study come from the quantitative data collected through student and teacher questionnaires. The Student-participants were 300 undergraduate students from various major subjects attending English language support classes and 22 ESL teachers teaching these English language support classes at different institutes of the university. The data were analysed descriptively and presented with help of the boxplots. The views, commonly held by teachers are supported by the study&rsquo;s findings i.e., large classes are likely to endorse teacher-centred approaches of teaching; very little significant student-student and teacher-student interaction is practised because of the inadequate physical environment; majority of learners remain off-task and appear to be unruly and they are given little, if any, feedback on their in-class and home tasks. Conversely, many teachers and learners reported that the adoption of group/pair work is likely to be an effective technique to use in these classes. Albeit a few teachers revealed having adopted group work infrequently, none used it all the time.


Author(s):  
Erkan Tekinarslan

<span>This study reports on the experiences of an instructor and an undergraduate class who used blogs in their teaching and learning environment at Abant Izzet Baysal University, Turkey. Qualitative data were collected from observation of students' activities when working on blogs in the classroom, analyses of students' blog documents on the web, and interviews with 42 students. Most students reflected that blogs are user friendly and convenient tools for publishing and sharing studies. Moreover, blog implementations contributed positively to students' information searching and writing skills, despite the limited opportunities that many students had for Internet access outside the university. However, students' ignorance regarding copyright issues and their tendency to copy information from online sources and paste it into their blogs was a common problem.</span>


Author(s):  
Asako Yoshida

In this exploratory study, a subject librarian and a writing instructor investigated the potential of designing blended learning around research paper assignments in the context of two foundational courses in the Faculty of Human Ecology at the University of Manitoba, Canada. The objective was to explore alternative, more embedded learning support for undergraduate students. The significance of blended learning support was situated in the broader literature of the teaching and learning practices in higher education. In this case study, descriptions of blended learning support for facilitating student learning, and of the main barrier to its implementation are provided. Based on what was learned in the exploratory study, the chapter provides working guidelines for designing and developing blended learning support, mainly drawing from Butler and Cartier's (2004) research on academic engagement.


2018 ◽  
Vol 23 (6) ◽  
pp. 97-106 ◽  
Author(s):  
T.S. Tikhomirova ◽  
N.V. Kochetkov

This article aims to study the relationship between personal reflection and the intensity of motivation for learning in a university.In order to achieve this goal, the following techniques were employed: A.V.Karpov and V.V.Ponomaryova’s technique for identifying the individual level of reflectivity, and T.I.Ilyina’s technique for assessing learning motivation in university students.The empirical study involved 143 subjects.The obtained data indicate that for the first-year students the meaning of the ‘mastering the profession’ motive is directly connected with their reflections on the present and future activities, while the meaning of the ‘getting a diploma’ motive is inversely correlated with the reflection of communication.In the second year, the intensity of the ‘gaining knowledge’ motive correlates with the reflection of communication, and the meaning of the ‘mastering the profession’ motive has an inverse relationship with the reflection of future activity.In the third year, the values of the motive for acquiring knowledge correlate with the integral indicator of reflection, whereas in the fourth year none of the reflection components are interconnected with the components of the motivation for learning in the university.


Educatia 21 ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 193-200
Author(s):  
Alexandra Ioana Oltean ◽  

One of the main changes that occurred after the coronavirus outbreak and that represents one of the main measures taken in order to limit the virus spread refers to the conversion of the educational activities conducted conventionally into activities implemented by means of online platforms. The transition was sudden, unexpected and it still can be indefinitely prolonged. The main approaches encountered in the context of online education are asynchronous and synchronous ones. Our paper contains the results of an interpretive analysis of the opinions expressed by a group of 37 undergraduate students on asynchronous and synchronous online educational activities. We considered their opinions relevant due to the fact that since they started their studies at the university in October 2020, they conducted exclusively online activities. We explored students’ preferences and limitations of the both approaches, but also their wishes for the next period. Students expressed their interest in keeping online asynchronous and synchronous activities for the future academic years, at least for part of their subjects.


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