scholarly journals iPads for Cognitive Skills in EFL Primary Classrooms: A Case Study in Saudi Arabia

2020 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 13
Author(s):  
Jawza Alshammari ◽  
Ruth Reynolds ◽  
Kate Ferguson-Patrck
Keyword(s):  
Saudi Arabia ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
Technology Use ◽  
Cognitive Skills ◽  
New Technology ◽  
Thinking Skills ◽  
Innovative Technology ◽  
Significant Shift ◽  
Primary Classrooms ◽  
Teacher Student

This research study was designed to clarify the effectiveness of innovative technology use in order to develop cognitive skills in Saudi Arabia with particular focus on the use of iPads in English as a Foreign Language (EFL) classes. New technology approaches are continually being implemented in educational environments but there is often lagging analysis as to the effectiveness of these approaches. In the context under review the implementation of iPads represented a significant shift from using paper and pen to using a portable touchpad and digital pen. This qualitative study comprising observations, interviews and focus groups with teachers and students in four primary EFL primary classrooms in Saudi Arabia. It aimed to investigate any links between EFL teaching approaches, revised Bloom’s Taxonomy of thinking skills and the use of iPads. The findings indicated an unevenness in the application of revised Bloom’s Taxonomy in English instruction generally and most iPad teaching practices were represented at lower order thinking levels (Remember, Understand and Apply). Also, flexible use of iPads when teaching-learning EFL represented levels of revised Bloom’s Taxonomy which aligns with specific roles of; teacher (T), teacher-student shared role (TS) and student (S) and plays a part in representing cognitive skills. These findings contribute to tablet devices use in language learning literature by highlighting the ‘how’ of EFL instruction based on revised Bloom’s Taxonomy.

scholarly journals Analyzing the Content of Reading Texts Questions in Flying High for Saudi Arabia

2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (6) ◽  
pp. 96
Author(s):  
Majed Barashid
Keyword(s):  
Saudi Arabia ◽  
Cognitive Skills ◽  
Thinking Skills ◽  
Cognitive Domain ◽  
Saudi Students ◽  
Cognitive Levels ◽  
Wh Questions ◽  
Shed Light ◽  
Reading Texts

This study aimed at analyzing the cognitive levels of the wh-questions following the reading texts in the Students’ Book of Flying High for Saudi Arabia One. A Checklist based on the revised cognitive domain of Bloom’s Taxonomy was the instrument used to categorize the cognitive levels of these questions and to determine to what extent they are included properly in the Student’s Book of Flying High for Saudi Arabia One. The main findings revealed that the wh-questions following the reading texts which are included in the textbook under analysis were not properly included. Also, the authors of the textbook overemphasized the lower thinking skills and neglected higher thinking skills. Such study is recommended to shed light upon the role of the other series of Flying High for Saudi Arabia in developing cognitive skills among secondary Saudi students.

What Makes an Effective EFL Teacher From Saudi Preuniversity Students’ Perspective

2021 ◽  
pp. 002205742098870
Author(s):  
Ali Abbas Falah Alzubi
Keyword(s):  
Saudi Arabia ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
Mixed Methods Research ◽  
Cultural Awareness ◽  
Teaching Effectiveness ◽  
Descriptive Analysis ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Teacher Student ◽  
Efl Teacher ◽  
Efl Teachers

The successful output of language learning process should ensure effective inputs by the key figures (teacher, student, stakeholder, and curricula) of education. This study aimed to examine preuniversity students’ perceptions on the attributes of an effective English as a Foreign Language (EFL) teacher in Saudi Arabia. Mixed-methods research design was applied to a sample of 231 students (135 males & 96 females) enrolled in the preparatory year program at a Saudi public university in the southern region of Saudi Arabia. The data were collected using two instruments: 5-point Likert-type scale and open-ended questions. The students’ responses on the closed questionnaire were analyzed using descriptive analysis and independent t test, whereas the data from the open-ended questions were analyzed by chi-square (cross tabulation) and MS Excel using thematic analysis. The findings indicated that 88% of Saudi preuniversity students agree on the high importance of the attributes of personality, methodology, and language knowledge that make an effective EFL teacher. Cultural awareness is of significance to the effectiveness of EFL teacher. However, gender was reported as an insignificant variable to the effectiveness of EFL teacher. In addition, fame, age, and country of EFL teachers did not reveal any connection to the teaching effectiveness of EFL teachers. Recommendations, implications, and suggestions for future research are discussed.

scholarly journals Critical Thinking on Technology Use: Higher Education Course Design to Promote Personal, Professional and Societal Change

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Susan K Walker ◽  
Rebecca Leaf Brown
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Critical Thinking ◽  
Emerging Adults ◽  
Technology Use ◽  
Cognitive Skills ◽  
Course Design ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Thinking Skills ◽  
Information And Communications Technologies ◽  
Wide Range

Higher education is a venue for developing critical thinking skills, dispositions and actions (Davies, 2015). With the exponential growth of information and communications technologies (ICT) in the last thirty years, dynamic changes and societal impacts,  and evolving research findings, intentional use for personal and professional well-being depends on emerging adults’ critical thinking abilities. This paper describes the design of an undergraduate course and elements of critical thinking deployed through content, learning activities and assessments. Thematic analysis of student qualitative responses at the end of the course indicate specific areas of growth that represent gains in cognitive skills, dispositions and action orientations. These validate the selected methods of instruction and underscore the course design, content and pedagogical framework as applicable to a wide range of content areas and field domains in higher education.

Methods Of Teaching English Literature For Students Of Graduation In Andhra Pradesh

Think India ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 22 (2) ◽  
pp. 455-457
Author(s):  
Y.L MARREDDY
Keyword(s):  
Foreign Language ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
English Literature ◽  
Thinking Skills ◽  
Critical Thinking Skills ◽  
Language Teachers ◽  
Teaching Literature ◽  
Universal Language ◽  
Level Of Understanding

Y.L MARREDDY English is recognized as a universal language. Learning English is inevitable in this present global scenario. It also acts like a link language. Especially, English literature enables learners to develop critical thinking skills, helps to discover and enlighten themselves. It is quite challenging task to teachers to teach literature for studentsin non native English countries like India. The role of the language teachers becomes predominant and the methods of teaching literature according to the students’ level of understanding also play a significant role because studying literature assists students’ tohave real time experiences, passion for language acquisition and think innovatively. In this context, it is necessary for teachers to distinct between teaching literature for special purposes or it is used as a resource language for teaching this foreign language. This paper throws light on the importance of teaching literature, several approaches and methods of teaching literature at graduate level. Literature connects the cultures across the world, throws challenges to solve and even to heal some cultures. It really provides an individual space for learners to express themselves and improve competence levels among them. It allows learners to share their participation in the experience of others, strengthens to shape, alter their attitude and meet their expectations.

Higher-Order Thinking Skills (HOTS)-based Formative Assessment: A Proposed Model for Language Learning Assessment

2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 115
Author(s):  
Wiyaka Wiyaka ◽  
Entika Fani Prastikawati ◽  
AB Prabowo Kusumo Adi
Keyword(s):  
Formative Assessment ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
Higher Order Thinking ◽  
Thinking Skills ◽  
Higher Order ◽  
Formative Assessments ◽  
Assessment Model ◽  
Higher Order Thinking Skills ◽  
Learning Assessments ◽  
Proposed Model

<div><p class="StyleABSTRAKenCambria">The integration of higher-order thinking skills (HOTS) in language learning assessments has become a crucial issue in 21st-century learning. However, not many teachers are aware of the need to incorporate HOTS in assessments due to their insufficient knowledge and the absence of good examples. Further, there is not much research and literature on HOTS-based formative assessment that can be used as references. This research aims to fill the existing gap by providing a model of higher-order thinking skills (HOTS)-based formative assessments for English learning, especially in junior high schools. By employing research and development design, this research describes the validation of the assessment model. The proposed model of assessment may be used as a prototype for assessing language learning.</p></div><p> </p>

Awareness Analysis of Smart Car Parking System in Heterogeneous High Density Clusters

2017 ◽  
Vol DC CPS 2017 (01) ◽  
pp. 22-26 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elsie Chidinma Anderson ◽  
A. A. Obayi ◽  
K.C. Okafor
Keyword(s):  
Traffic Congestion ◽  
Urban Population ◽  
New Technology ◽  
Innovative Technology ◽  
Survey Analysis ◽  
Metropolitan Cities ◽  
Port Harcourt ◽  
Parking System ◽  
Statistical Survey ◽  
Co Emission

The swiftly growing urban population of Nigeria is generating lots of tension in the cities in line with the rapid increase of vehicles. This is due to hitherto reliance on the present parking system which has no standard to check for parking spaces, hence generating problems such as traffic congestion, time wastage in search of parking slot, fuel consumption/CO emission, insecurity of vehicles etc. This work presents a quantitative statistical survey analysis conducted in selected metropolitan cities in Port Harcourt, Nigeria. The aim is to create awareness on Smart Car Parking System (SCPS) for heterogeneous clustered environments. The results of the conducted analysis showed that the awareness of this innovative technology is still at its tender stage in Nigeria. Findings shows that people are willing to adopt this new technology to assist in overcoming the challenges faced in the present parking system that is unstructured. A brief description of proposed SCPS based on Big data hardware is presented.

Education of undergraduate: Epistemic and cultural beliefs as obstacles to technology

2021 ◽  
pp. 002072092098431
Author(s):  
Fahad SS Alfallaj ◽  
Ahmed AH Al-Ma'amari ◽  
Fahad IA Aldhali
Keyword(s):  
Saudi Arabia ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
Language Proficiency ◽  
English Language ◽  
Learning Experience ◽  
Cultural Beliefs ◽  
Cultural Barriers ◽  
English Learning ◽  
Mixed Method Research ◽  
Language Curriculum

This study aims to identify the epistemological and cultural beliefs that act as barriers in English learning by Saudi undergraduate learners. English is a compulsory component of education from the early school years in Saudi Arabia, and the Ministry of Education invests a great deal of workforce and financial resources in this sector in a concerted effort to ensure that Saudi students attain language proficiency. The study employed a mixed-method research design and was conducted with 85 undergraduate learners at Qassim University. It used a questionnaire and interviews to obtain insight into the factors that inhibit the English learning experience. Results revealed that the respondents' resistance to the learning of others' culture stems mainly from the epistemic and cultural barriers embedded in English language learning. Implications of the study will provide the basis to policymakers, educationists, institutions, and learners for contextualizing the English language curriculum of Saudi Arabia.

Technological Change and the International System

2021 ◽  
Vol 73 (3) ◽  
pp. 545-589 ◽  
Author(s):  
Helen V. Milner ◽  
Sondre Ulvund Solstad
Keyword(s):  
Technology Adoption ◽  
Technological Change ◽  
Technology Use ◽  
New Technologies ◽  
Causal Effect ◽  
International System ◽  
New Technology ◽  
World Politics ◽  
Adoption Of Technology ◽  
Adoption Of New Technology

ABSTRACTDo world politics affect the adoption of new technology? States overwhelmingly rely on technology invented abroad, and their differential intensity of technology use accounts for many of their differences in economic development. Much of the literature on technology adoption focuses on domestic conditions. The authors argue instead that the structure of the international system is critical because it affects the level of competition among states, which in turn affects leaders’ willingness to enact policies that speed technology adoption. Countries adopt new technology as they seek to avoid being vulnerable to attack or coercion by other countries. By systematically examining states’ adoption of technology over the past two hundred years, the authors find that countries adopt new technologies faster when the international system is less concentrated, that changes in systemic concentration have a temporally causal effect on technology adoption, and that government policies to promote technology adoption are related to concerns about rising international competition. A competitive international system is an important incentive for technological change and may underlie global technology waves.

scholarly journals Online Foreign Language Learning in Higher Education and Its Correlates during the COVID-19 Pandemic

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 781
Author(s):  
Maria-Anca Maican ◽  
Elena Cocoradă
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Foreign Language ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
Language Proficiency ◽  
Foreign Language Learning ◽  
Protective Role ◽  
Teacher Student ◽  
Quantitative Results ◽  
Mixed Approach ◽  
Student Relationship

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the online learning of foreign languages at higher education level has represented a way to adapt to the restrictions imposed worldwide. The aim of the present article is to analyse university students’ behaviours, emotions and perceptions associated to online foreign language learning during the pandemic and their correlates by using a mixed approach. The research used the Foreign Language Enjoyment (FLE) scale and tools developed by the authors, focusing on task value, self-perceived foreign language proficiency, stressors and responses in online foreign language learning during the pandemic. Some of the results, such as the negative association between anxiety and FLE, are consistent with those revealed in studies conducted in normal times. Other results are novel, such as the protective role of retrospective enjoyment in trying times or the higher level of enjoyment with lower-achieving students. Reference is made to students’ preferences for certain online resources during the pandemic (e.g., preference for PowerPoint presentations) and to their opinions regarding the use of entirely or partially online foreign language teaching in the post-COVID period. The quantitative results are fostered by the respondents’ voices in the qualitative research. The consequences of these results are discussed with respect to the teacher-student relationship in the online environment and to the implications for sustainable online foreign language learning.

Seawater desalination in Mexican Pacific coast by a new technology: use and perspectives

2012 ◽  
Vol 51 (1-3) ◽  
pp. 175-183
Author(s):  
V. Perez-Moreno ◽  
C.B. Bonilla-Suarez ◽  
M.E. Rodriguez-Muñoz
Keyword(s):  
Technology Use ◽  
Pacific Coast ◽  
New Technology ◽  
Seawater Desalination ◽  
Mexican Pacific
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