Does Augmented Reality Also Augment Knowledge Acquisition? Augmented Reality Compared to Reading in Learning About the Human Digestive System?

Augmented Reality (AR) has become an emerging educational technology in classroom practice and science education. While most research and contemporary meta-analyses reveal benefits with regard to knowledge acquisition and motivation of Augmented Reality–based learning environments, most of the studies lack a clear and fair control condition. In this research, we compared an AR-based learning environment with a paper-based learning environment for self-directed learning about the human digestive system. In an experiment, we examined the effects of these two conditions for knowledge acquisition, cognitive load, and experience of flow and immersion. Results reveal significantly higher outcomes in favor of the text-based instruction with regard to conceptual domain knowledge and mental representation of the human digestive system and its involved organs. Positive effects of the AR learning environment are limited to a higher experience of immersion.

How knowledge acquisition creates a competitive edge? A qualitative inquiry from international consultancy alliance

PurposeThe current study attempts to bridge the existing gap related to the role of knowledge acquisition from international alliance partners to improve competitiveness by examining the distinct processes of knowledge acquisition and the challenges confronted in this learning process in order to enhance local and international market performance.Design/methodology/approachFollowing case-study approach based on systematic combining, the study presents a case of knowledge acquisition and learning in the context of an international consultancy alliance between leading Pakistani and Chinese engineering firms using six in-depth interviews of key engineers to explore the dynamic mechanisms for knowledge acquisition and learning from the Chinese firm. Grounded analysis drawn upon the Straussian version of grounded theory (GT) {{Strauss, 1990 #136} Strauss, 1998 #139} is used for data analysis in this research.FindingsIt was found that the processes of explicit and implicit knowledge acquisition from Chinese firms are integrated consultancy working, social and technical adaptability and seeking confirmation about the work done and knowledge/theories and models used in work. However, these processes are quite complex, posing serious challenges for National Engineering Services, Pakistan to acquire the required knowledge, which can be addressed through partners' motivation to share and acquire knowledge, cultural intelligence and friendship and informal association. The study also found that the knowledge acquired from technologically advanced international organizations by the host partner in the international strategic alliance not only provides a competitive edge to the local host in its local market but also builds its capacity to undertake similar projects in other parts of the world, substantially enhancing its market success.Originality/valueAdding up to the current literature that focuses on knowledge acquisition in a parent-subsidiary relationship, the current research proposes a framework for knowledge acquisition in the unique context of international strategic alliances. The research provides managerial guidelines to manage knowledge acquisition for gaining a competitive edge that would be helpful for the managers in the era of growing interdependence among the organizations across the borders.

Antecedents and Consequences of International Joint Venture Knowledge Acquisition

Studies on the establishment of international joint ventures (IJVs) in open-oriented markets as a vehicle for knowledge acquisition have been increasing of late. Drawing on the transaction cost economics theory and the knowledge-based view, the chapter examines the impact of absorptive capacity, transfer mechanisms, knowledge management practices, and environmental uncertainty on knowledge acquisition of IJVs from foreign partners. Further, the author examines IJV innovativeness as a consequence of knowledge acquisition. The author tested the model with data from 122 IJVs in Algeria. By analyzing the data using SPSSv25 and smart PLS 3.0, the findings show that absorptive capacity and transfer mechanisms are positively and significantly related to knowledge acquisition of the IJVs. However, knowledge management practices and environmental uncertainty are not significant. In addition, the relationship between IJV knowledge acquisition and innovativeness is significant.

Epistemological beliefs of secondary school teachers in light of their teaching practices based on the grounded theory

The current study aimed to identify the epistemological beliefs of secondary school teachers in light of their teaching practices. The researchers applied the qualitative approach based on the method of grounded theory. Data were collected through classroom observations, interview sheets and focus groups. Having determined the credibility and reliability of the instruments, the data were thoroughly read, and analysed using the topology data model. Results indicated the participants' responses converged in the dimension of the nature and certainty of knowledge, the dimension of knowledge acquisition and in the speed of knowledge acquisition, while responses varied in the dimension of the concept of epistemological beliefs, the dimension of the sources of epistemological beliefs and the factors in their formation, and in the dimension of knowledge authority. The study highlighted the importance of integrating epistemological beliefs in teachers' qualification programmes to practise such beliefs in the classroom environment. Keywords: Epistemological Beliefs, Teaching Practices, Secondary School Teachers

Differentiation: The key point for heterogenous classes in Latvia

One of the current problems in the context of education is the question of how to achieve students' maximum knowledge acquisition capacity, while simultaneously taking into account the diversity of each student. The aim of the article is to analyse how to more effectively achieve the standard set in the Latvian legislation, taking into account the individuality of each resident as defined in the Education Law. In this article the author analyses the results of a survey conducted in the spring 2021 as well as an interview. The participants for the survey were 50 and the participants for the interview were 9. Data was analysed using SPSS. The findings of the study and recommendation shall provide answers to all educators who seek the way how to teach more effectively in heterogonous classes. Keywords: differentiation; foreign language classes; heterogonous classes; Latvia.

Classroom to Google Room an Incredible Revolution in Teaching-Learning Pedagogy

Education 4.0 made the world of knowledge acquisition and sharing to take a diverse spin, teaching-learning fully loaded with technology. The extensive use of Smartphone and internet paved a way to include technology into teaching-learning. Inclusion of technology or internet has become obligatory and fetched ease in academic as well as non-academic learning tendencies of inclination of understanding. The instructors have the challenges to guide or edify their learners other than faceto-face means of instructions. The teachers have to be proficient in handling technology or smart tools of teaching-learning besides having command over their area of teaching. This paper focuses on the remote online teaching-learning platforms or tools that help the teachers to teach or guide their learners online and the attitudes of the teachers and the students towards the use of the remote online platforms in ELT. Keywords: Education 4.0 – ICA of teaching-learning – remote online platforms – Google Classroom

Knowledge Acquisition and Satisfaction of Virtual Microscopy Usage Among Medical Students of Universiti Sains Malaysia

The virtual microscope has been employed as an adjunct tool to teach optical microscopy for histology learning in medical schools. However, there is no reliable evidence in the literature that virtual and optical microscopy impacts students’ learning. This study focuses on comparing two different methods in learning histology in Universiti Sains Malaysia, namely virtual microscopy and optical microscopy, with regard to medical students’ knowledge acquisition and satisfaction levels. A total number of 120 medical students, consisting of 53 first-year and 67 second-year students, were recruited. The students were divided into virtual microscopy and optical microscopy groups. During the one-day intervention, all students attended a pre-requisite lecture on “Histology of the Eye”, a slide demonstration and a hands-on session using a designated microscope. Students’ knowledge acquisition was evaluated through a pre- and post-practical evaluation and their satisfaction level on learning histology using respective learning tools was measured. The study revealed that the optical and virtual microscopy groups showed significant improvement from the pre- to post-practical tests scores with p < 0.001, respectively. However, the mean increment was higher in virtual microscopy (38.51%) than in optical microscopy (35.08%). Furthermore, the virtual microscopy group had a significantly higher satisfaction score towards the learning tool than the optical microscopy group, p = 0.008. The knowledge acquisition of the virtual microscopy group was equal to the optical microscopy group as they were shown to have a similar improvement in the test scores, comprehension level and learning ability. However, students were nonetheless satisfied with the usage of virtual microscopy as a learning tool.