Kurdish EFL Learners’ Perceptions towards Written Corrective Feedback and Its Types: An Investigative Study

Written Corrective Feedback has been one of the most controversial topics (Waller, 2015), and it has been researched extensively. Still, the lack of research among Kurdish EFL learners made it necessary to conduct the current research. This study focuses on investigating learners’ perceptions of written corrective feedback and its types. It attempts to answer what the Kurdish EFL learners’ perceptions of written corrective feedback are, and what types of written corrective feedback among Kurdish Learners are preferred. Answering these questions is significant as the results can be used by both teachers and learners to improve learners’ writing accuracy. A survey questionnaire was distributed to collect data. After analyzing data, the results reveal that most Kurdish EFL participants were not fully aware of WCF and its effectiveness as a learning tool. However, they still expected their writing teachers to provide them with WCF in writing tasks. Also, the results indicate that Kurdish EFL learners preferred two types of WCF: explicit and implicit WCF. Hence, the results have many pedagogical implications for writing teachers and learners. Firstly, it shows how EFL learners from other countries and contexts perceive WCF, and secondly, results encourage writing teachers to give more attention and value to WCF.

A cultural diversity management framework for enhancing the performance of architectural design firms in Egypt

PurposeThis paper aims to develop a cultural diversity management (CDM) framework to enhance the performance of architecture design firms (ADFs) in Egypt.Design/methodology/approachA research methodology consisting of literature review, case studies and survey questionnaire was designed to achieve the abovementioned aim. First, literature review was used to investigate the concepts of globalization, international construction, diversity, diversity management (DM) and organizational performance. Second, four case studies were presented and analyzed. The first two cases explored the role of CDM towards enhancing the performance of ADFs, while the last two cases showed initiatives carried out by NGOs to integrate architects of color into their communities through training programs that enhanced their skills and uplifted their societies. Third, a survey questionnaire was carried out with a representative sample of ADFs in Egypt to investigate their perception and application of DM towards enhancing organizational performance. Based on the results of the above, the research developed a framework to enhance the performance of ADFs through managing culturally diverse workforces.FindingsLiterature review showed that diversity is not limited to race and gender; however, it includes other types such as disability, socioeconomic status, thinking style, culture, personality, life experience, religious and spiritual beliefs. Despite the benefits that diversity brings to ADFs such as stimulating creativity and increasing productivity, poor management of diverse workforce leads to dysfunctional conflicts, frustration and confusion. Results of case studies showed that ADFs that adopt a CDM approach succeeded in enhancing their performance. In addition, training initiatives carried out by NGOs succeeded to integrate architects of color into their communities and uplifting their societies. Results of data analysis identified the barriers to integrating diverse workforce in ADFs. These barriers include “Poor communication and spirit of collaboration between diverse workforce”, “Resistance to change”, “Lack of maintaining wage equity and promotion between different workforces based on gender”, “Poor organization culture” and “Lack of Senior Management involvement”. This necessitated taking action towards developing a framework to overcome these barriers to manage diverse workforces towards enhancing the performance of ADFs in Egypt.Research limitations/implicationsBecause of the conceptual nature of the proposed framework, it has to be tested and validated to ensure its capability to overcome the barriers of managing culturally diverse workforces as an approach for enhancing the performance of ADFs in Egypt.Practical implicationsThis research presents a practical solution to enhance the performance of ADFs in Egypt through managing cultural workforce diversity.Originality/valueThe research identified and analyzed the barriers that obstruct the integration of diverse workforces in ADFs. The research tackled a topic that received scant attention in construction literature with particular emphasis on Egypt. In addition, this paper proposed a CDM framework to enhance the performance of ADFs in Egypt, which represents a synthesis that is novel and creative in thought and adds value to the body of knowledge.

Primary School Students' Perceptions About the Use of Mobile Games in the Classroom

This chapter investigates primary school students' perceptions regarding the use of games on mobile devices (i.e., smartphone, tablet) in classroom environment for teaching purposes. Data was collected from 10,381 students (Grades 4, 5, and 6) using a survey questionnaire. A series of semi-structured interviews were used to more deeply understand student perceptions. Those perceptions tended to range from neutral to positive regarding the use of games and their content. Students prefer games that enhance their knowledge and develop their thinking skills. They also believe lessons will be more enjoyable and interesting through the use of games, and learning will be easier and more effective. The results showed differences in students' perceptions in terms of their gender and grade level. Implications of this study and further research are discussed.

Video Games as a Media for Tourism Experience

Virtual reality technology in recent year has been a hot topic in tourism and hospitality field, both for research and practical purposes. Virtual technology has some limitation, such as costs and time, which can be addressed by a different form of virtual technology, which is video games. The purpose of this study is to analyze the effects of mental imagery, sense of presence and addition of storytelling towards tourism experience by using video games as a medium. Previous studies have analyzed effects of mental imagery and presence towards the tourism experience, but there is lack of research in using storytelling or narratives to add to the tourism experience. Storytelling has been studied in marketing field, and has been found to be a great marketing tool, because people love to hear stories. Video games can be a better tool for delivering storytelling, while providing solid mental imagery and a sense of presence to the location. The methodology proposed for this study is a quantitative approach, using survey questionnaire as a tool. Two sampling method is proposed. The first is to use players of location-based games as the population, and randomly take the sample. The second method is to uses tourists or potential tourists of a destination, have the respondents try out the game, and answer the questionnaire. The proposed research could provide the importance of storytelling to be added for virtual reality and video games usage in tourism and hospitality field.

Analysis of Factors That Affect the Use of Microfinance for Microbusiness Development in Ghana

This chapter examined the factors that affect the use of microfinance for microbusiness development in Ghana. The study employed semi-structured survey questionnaire to determine whether an entrepreneur's personal attributes impede or facilitate microbusiness development in Ghana. Multiple linear regression analysis was conducted to determine the effects of entrepreneur's personal attributes on the monthly sales, number of employees, business assets, and capital stock of microbusinesses that received credit from a microfinance provider in the northern region of Ghana. The findings of the study suggest that micro-entrepreneur prior work experience, occupation, and prior income facilitate the use of microfinance for microbusiness development. These findings have policy implications for the government of Ghana and other agencies that are interested in using microfinance as a catalyst for economic growth in deprived communities in the country.

Why do people apply for admission to Moscow universities? An analysis of the reasons and development of recommendations

When there is high competition between universities for applicants, research into the applicants’ motives becomes relevant. This research used a survey questionnaire, the results of which were subjected to correlation analysis. The survey involved students from four Moscow universities, differing in both rating and quality of admission. The main reasons why applicants choose their university were the availability of budget places and the cost of training. The source of information about the university is also important. Modern youth (and also their parents) focus mainly on Internet sites for applicants and on the university’s website social networks. The role of Internet resources will only increase in the future although traditional forms of attracting applicants, such as open days and Olympics should not be discounted. They attract at least a quarter of the admissions. The research revealed that school graduates who are strongly oriented toward higher education prepare for exams very seriously. More than two-thirds of all students surveyed noted several options for preparing for the exam. However, not all applications had a solid life position with regard to their future profession. Many have chosen those courses that are easier to pass. One of the important factors in making a choice and in preparation is the image of the university. The higher the rating of the university, the more motivated applicants it attracts and as a result, the level of training of graduates also increases. It is proposed that distance forms of participation in university events are developed so as to expand coverage.

Managing in early COVID-19: The Nigerian optometry experience

This study was designed to assess the knowledge, attitude, and practices of Nigerian optometrists and optometry students with regard to the COVID-19 pandemic, while also assessing its impact of their daily personal and professional routines. The Google Forms suite was used to design an online struc- tured survey/questionnaire. This was sent to Nigerian optometrists and optometry students along with a message soliciting their voluntary participation. This survey took place between 10th April and 15th May 2020. The responses received were electronically transmitted to the authors and populated via Google suite software. Descriptive statistics and inferences were then derived from these data. A total of 399 valid responses were logged during this study. Of these, 183 (45.4%) respondents were optometry students from the eight optometry education departments in Nigeria. Optometric doctors made up 216 of the respondents. 86% of optometrists reported having cases of COVID-19 in their state. No optometrists reported suffering from the COVID-19 disease while one (0.5%) student had been infected with COVID-19. Twelve percent of student respondents felt educational facilities were adequate to cater for post COVID- 19 resumption, while 21.5% of students felt that the ongoing academic session should be restarted. The COVID-19 Pandemic has impacted greatly on service delivery among Nigerian optometrists and optometry education. Educational institutions must also adjust to current realities in order to be able to provide safe and adequate training when the academic section resumes or restarts.

Correlation between Pupils’ and Teachers’ Opinions regarding the Spheres and Effects of ICT Use by Children and Teenagers (Research Report)

The article presents a fragment of diagnostic-correlative research of a mixed character, identifying pupils’ information literacy in the use of ICT methods and tools in the context of new technological trends and accompanying civilisation changes. The authors aim to answer the question: What is the relationship between pupils’ opinions and teachers’ observations regarding the spheres and effects of ICT use by children and teenagers? For this purpose, the method of diagnostic survey (questionnaire and interview) and statistical methods were used. Together, 2510 pupils and 1110 teachers (in Poland) were involved. The interpretation of the strength of relationship between the co-existent variables – based on the obtained values of correlation (r) and determination (r2) coefficients – in general allows for stating that: 1) a noticeable dissonance exists between pupils’ opinions and teachers’ observations regarding the spheres and effects of ICT use by children and teenagers; 2) the identified differences (the minus/negative correlations in 6 cases) and similarities (the plus/ positive correlations in 4 cases) between pupils’ and teachers’ opinions indicate a significant “separation” between the world of children and teenagers (“Us”) and the world of teachers (“Them”); 3) in three categories, an obvious relationship (a very high level of dependence) exists between pupils’ and teachers’ observations as to the spheres and effects of ICT use by children and teenagers, namely “working with information” (r2 = 0.79; r = 0.89), “network communication” (r2 = 0.78; r = 0.88), and “preparing for classes” (r2 = 0.70; r = -0.84).

O BIBLIOTECÁRIO MEDIADOR E OS DESAFIOS PARA A COMPETÊNCIA EM INFORMAÇÃO DIANTE DA COVID-19: o caso de uma biblioteca universitária especializada em saúde

Este artigo tem por objetivo descrever o relato de experiência profissional do primeiro Programa de Capacitação que deu origem ao curso online “Aprendendo sobre normas da ABNT” oferecido por uma biblioteca universitária (BU) especializada em ciências da saúde, Programa implantado a partir do produto final de um projeto de pesquisa de mestrado. Aborda as ações que vem sendo trabalhadas pela biblioteca durante o período pandêmico, com o uso intensivo das redes sociais, e aprimoramento do profissional na competência em mídia. Mostra os desafios enfrentados pelo bibliotecário através dos trabalhos home office e como pensar em práticas para dar continuidade ao desenvolvimento da competência em informação dos usuários remotamente. A metodologia caracteriza-se como um estudo empírico e descritivo, de abordagem qualiquantitativa, utilizou-se como instrumento, o questionário pesquisa de satisfação, também realizou-se pesquisa do tipo revisão bibliográfica como base teórica para o presente estudo. Os resultados obtidos apontam que entre os participantes 62,5% sentiram-se satisfeitos com o curso. Em relação à duração da capacitação, 50% marcaram “excelente” para a carga horária. Quanto ao objetivo proposto pelo curso, 98,5% alegaram que o conteúdo estava de acordo com o estimado na divulgação. Diante das considerações finais, recomenda-se que atividades remotas sejam realizadas a fim de promover a competência em informação aos usuários das bibliotecas universitárias frente às práticas de isolamento social. A biblioteca em estudo pretende promover outros cursos, principalmente os voltados para o uso de ferramentas das bases de dados em saúde para uma melhor disseminação no uso e gestão da informação científico-técnica em saúde. Os estudo de Morigi e Souto (2005), Kern (2020), Santos e Paiva (2020) e Santos (2020) foram fundamentais para esta pesquisa, pois serviram como embasamento teórico para o desenvolvimento deste artigo.AbstractThis article aims to describe the professional experience report of the first Training Program that gave rise to the online course “Learning about ABNT standards” offered by a university library (BU) specialized in health sciences, Program implemented based on the final product of a master's research project. It addresses the actions that have been worked on by the library during the pandemic period, with the intensive use of social networks, and professional improvement in media competence. It shows the challenges faced by the librarian through home office work and how to think about practices to continue the development of users' information competence remotely. The methodology is characterized as an empirical and descriptive study, with a qualitative and quantitative approach, the satisfaction survey questionnaire was used as an instrument. A literature review was also carried out as a theoretical basis for the present study. The results obtained show that among the participants 62.5% felt satisfied with the course. Regarding the duration of the training, 50% scored "excellent" for the workload. As for the objective proposed by the course, 98.5% claimed that the content was in accordance with the estimated disclosure. In view of the final considerations, it is recommended that remote activities be carried out in order to promote competence in information to users ofuniversity libraries in the face of social isolation practices. The library under study intends to promote other courses, mainly those focused on the use of health database tools for better dissemination in the use and management of scientific and technical health information. The studies by Morigi and Souto (2005), Kern (2020), Santos and Paiva (2020) and Santos (2020) were fundamental for this research, as they served as a theoretical basis for the development of this article.

Assessment of Knowledge, Attitude and Practices towards Gender Equality in Achieving SDG5

This research was conducted to determine the awareness level of the students’ at the Universityof Malaya (UM) towards gender equality in achieving SDG5. A set of survey questionnaire established onKnowledge, Attitude, and Practices (KAP) was distributed through an online Google survey form to allUM students’, and 123 responses were collected to evaluate the awareness level (95% confidenceinterval with ± 5% margin of error). Data analysis was conducted through SPSS software. The resultsrevealed that the respondents have a higher knowledge level with lower attitude and practices levels.Spearman’s Rho coefficient correlation was used to evaluate the relationship level within variables(between knowledge and practices and attitude and practices). The results reported a weak positivecorrelation within knowledge and practice levels (r= .275, N= 123, p=