Instructional Guidance for Promoting Creativity in English as a Foreign Language Writing Classrooms: A Korean Case Study

As student creativity is increasingly emphasized in English as a Foreign Language education, it is necessary to consider instructional techniques to encourage it. This study examines the effectiveness of two instructional techniques on creative writing performance of English as a Foreign Language students in a South Korean university. These techniques are variations of brainstorming known as mind mapping and SCAMPER. Survey data from the participants ( n = 39) were analysed to determine which technique resulted in higher levels of perceived creative output (essays). Additionally, a creativity rubric was developed and used to assign analytic scores to the essays to examine the relative benefits of the two techniques for high and low creative ability students. Results show that SCAMPER produced statistically significantly higher levels of perceived creative output. The essays written using SCAMPER generally received higher creativity scores than those written using mind mapping, though this difference was not statistically significant. Finally, results suggest that both techniques may help to narrow the performance gap between high and low creative ability students.

Técnicas de enseñanza para un desempeño eficaz del estudiante

El objetivo de esta investigación es conocer y describir un modelo empírico para un desempeño eficaz a partir de las técnicas en estudiantes de bachillerato. El diseño de investigación es cuantitativo, de tipo transversal y de predicción y control. La recolección de datos fue por medio de una encuesta. La muestra fue estratificada por semestre y sección de un bachillerato de la ciudad de Saltillo, Coahuila, seleccionando a un total de 263 estudiantes, de los cuales, 65% fueron mujeres y 35% hombres. Para la obtención de resultados, se realizó un análisis de regresión lineal, obteniendo un modelo a partir del lugar donde se desarrolla el aprendizaje y otro en relación con las técnicas empleadas por el docente. Concluyendo que las técnicas de instrucción que manejen aprendizajes elaboracionales deductivos y las representaciones de éstos en formatos visuales son fuente de un mejor aprovechamiento académico de los alumnos. AbstractThe objective of this investigation is to understand and outline an empirical model for effective performance drawn from techniques in high school students. The investigative design is quantitative under a transversal type and of prediction and control. The recollection of data was performed with the use of a questionnaire. The sample was stratified per semester and section in a high school in Saltillo Coahuila where a total of 263 students were selected, those of which 65% were female and 35% were male. To obtain the findings, an analysis of a lineal regression was used, obtaining a model from where learning takes place and another in relation to techniques applied by the teacher. Concluding that instructional techniques which manage deductive elaborational learning and the representation of these through visual formats are a source of greater academic achievement of students.

Content Delivery Modes for Students with Visual Impairments in Integrated Schools of Nepal

The purpose of this study is to explore the instructional approaches that have been using by teachers working in integrated schools for years to optimize the access of visually impaired students to general education curriculum. This study was guided by constructivist paradigm followed by case study design. Altogether eleven teachers were selected from three integrated schools located in Kathmandu Valley by using purposive sampling method. Qualitative data were gathered by using semi-structured interview, classroom observation, and document analysis to get deeper understanding on the studied phenomenon. And then garnered information were edited, transcribed, coded, and thematized to draw meaningful results and conclusions. A number of instructional techniques such as providing materials into accessible format, placing students with low vision near to chalkboard, ability based grouping, pairing blind and sighted students together, etc. were applied by targeting the distinct learning needs of students with visual impairments. But most of these instructional techniques were not used on routine basis because of poorly trained teachers, limited instructional materials, and high students-teacher ratio. Therefore, proper training, sufficient instructional materials, and manageable size of the classroom should be arranged to optimize the access of visually impaired students to general education curriculum.

Pandemic Pedagogy for the New Normal: Fostering Perceived Control During COVID-19

Before the pandemic, loneliness was already a burden affecting the health and well-being of students. The COVID-19 pandemic, with mandated isolations and closures of campuses, amplifies feelings of isolation and loneliness. Previous work shows that isolated and lonely individuals experience a lack of perceived control, but educators have little understanding of the type of pedagogy that can help students deal with these emotions. Two studies demonstrate that instructors can foster perceived control in their students and provide guidance on best practices for teaching during a pandemic. Given the desire to discover the new normal for teaching during the COVID-19 pandemic crisis, this research has important implications for educational practices and instructional techniques to help students manage the loneliness, isolation, and lack of perceived control during these unprecedented times.

A Differentiated Approach to Mathematics

How can classroom teachers maximize the learning potential of their students? How can teachers, at the same time, attend to their students' differences? Students' readiness, interests, and learning profiles are the main targets for successful and meaningful learning. This chapter discusses all the above-mentioned characteristics of learners and focuses on the different approaches and instructional models in a Mathematics classroom. Having in mind a flexible learning framework that accommodates the needs of today's learners, the authors discuss and present applicable classroom instructional techniques, techniques that offer unique opportunities to fully amalgamate pedagogy by modifying learning experiences in the three areas of content, process, and product. The reader of this chapter will also get the chance to be exposed to the i2Flex methodology, which is a type of blended learning and has been born and developed at ACS Athens, Greece.

Interactive 360-Degree Virtual Reality into eLearning Content Design

The techniques and methods essential in creating 2D and 3D virtual reality images that can be displayed in multimedia devices are the main aims of the study. Tools such as desktops, laptops, tablets, smartphones, and other multimedia devices that display such content are the primary concern in the study. Such devices communicate the content through videos, images, or sound which are realistic and useful to the user. Such contents can be captured from different locations in virtual imaginary sites through the abovenamed electronic devices. These are beneficial e-learning instructional techniques for students, especially for higher learning [1]. Considering architectural learners who rely on such images to develop the expected simple designs useful in real constructions, 360-degree imaging has to be considered in e-learning for their benefits. The primary forms through which the content can be transformed into a virtual reality include YouTube and Facebook websites, all of which can display 360-degree virtual environment content. Through this, the learners will interact with virtual reality in such setups, thus enhancing their studies.