The Australian Catholic University and DePaul University (Chicago) service-learning partnership

In this paper, we report on the service-learning partnership between Australian Catholic University and DePaul University (Chicago) and how this partnership has enriched the scholarship of service-learning for both institutions. Using a case study methodology, we explore how two large Catholic Higher Education Institutions (CHEIs) with similar, yet distinct missions have partnered to learn about each other’s approaches and contexts. Since 2018, the SteansCenter for Community-Based Service-learning and Community Service Studies (DePaul) and ACU Engagement, the central agency responsible for supporting the extensive service-learning program at ACU, have met to discuss their programs and explore opportunities for collaboration. These discussions have led to new understandings and translations in the pedagogical terminology across Australian and US contexts and the identification of how mission coherence can inform partnerships between CHEIs. The partnership has also led to ongoing collaborations that have furthered the service-learning mission and institutionalisation of both universities. The paper concludes by reflecting upon the value of partnerships between CHEIs across national boundaries and the value of mutually exploring mission, principles, and practice as the field seeks further institutionalisation of service-learning. That is, service-learning for the mutual benefit and transformation of the community and university.

A model of service-learning implementation: case of Ukrainian Catholic University

Service-learning (SL) is a relatively new approach for the Ukrainian education system. The Ukrainian Catholic University (UCU) became the first in Ukraine to introduce it at the institutional level. The organization of this process requires a transparent methodology and algorithm for implementation. In this study, we consider the institutional performance of SL at UCU from the standpoint of innovation management in the educational process. The paper’s objective is to describe the SL model implementation at the UCU based on the analysis of the carried-out optimizing processes. The classic problem-based approach with interactive research and design-based research were applied to develop the model. Furthermore, the description of the results uses a process-oriented methodology as the most appropriate for the current and future research work. The success of the SL approach implementation is partly due to the technical part by which it is about the design of the work process and the internal culture of the HEI. The groups of stakeholders involved in designing and adopting the SL model and pedagogy are foundational in the applied case of the process-oriented methodology. The final goal was to identify the areas with the most significant opportunities for improvement when implementing SL in the HEI. The model of implementation of SL in the HEI, presented in this study, was created on the business process mapping principles and can be valuable for other educational institutions that want to implement this approach.

Enhancing Inclusive Teaching and Learning via University Courses Built on Needs Analysis

This study examines the added beneficial value of needs analysis prior to designing ESP university courses to guarantee inclusive teaching and learning at English language programs in Albania. The study is conducted by combining both research methods of textual analysis with the survey questionnaire delivered to 150 students of English major at Tirana State University, EPOKA University, and Catholic University “Our Lady of Good Counsel” in Albania. It analyzes the feedback and perceptions of students on the content and inclusivity of the courses to better match their linguistic needs. The findings from this study reveal the need to systematically consider learners' needs prior to deciding the content materials and assessment methods aiming at a fair and transparent teaching, learning, and knowledge evaluation process. The last criteria comprise essential contributors to realizing inclusive teaching at university courses of English for Specific Purposes in Albania.

Assessment of Entrepreneurial Traits and Intention among Undergraduate Students at Catholic University of Health and Allied sciences -Mwanza, Tanzania

Entrepreneurship of young graduates is fundamental in mitigating the challenge of unemployment, while the role of universities is considered to be very important in developing entrepreneurial behavior. Thus, the present study aims to assess entrepreneurial traits and intention among undergraduate students at Catholic University of Health and Allied sciences -Mwanza, Tanzania. The cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted in May 2021 at Catholic University of Health and Allied Sciences. Three hundred and thirty-one (331) undergraduates were selected by stratified random sampling. Pre-tested semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect primary data. Data were fed into Microsoft excel and then exported to STATA version 14 for analysis and data were presented in frequencies, percentages and mean. The level of entrepreneurial traits of the students was moderate with overall mean of 3.6. Majority (285, 86.1%) of students thought of themselves as capable of opening and sustaining a business to success, reflecting positive feasibility and perceived themselves as people who willingly act on their individual decisions.The major motivating factor for entrepreneurial intention indicated by the respondents was “preference for personal creativity” (295, 89.1%). However, the major perceived barrier to starting their own businesses indicated by the respondents was “lack of funds to start” (268, 90%). This study showed that there was overall moderate level of entrepreneurial traits among the undergraduate students. The findings have shown that there is high intention and that students are interested to become entrepreneurs.

The CRO Laudato Si’ Project: Goals, Activities, and Social Outcomes

On the eve of 2020, and the fifth anniversary of the publication of the Encyclical Letter - Laudato Si’. On the care for the common home at the Catholic University of Croatia, the scientific-professional project CRO Laudato Si’ was launched. The project team was composed of scientists from different disciplines, and the project partners were the National Fraternity of the Franciscan Secular Order and the Franciscan Youth. As part of the project, scientific and practical activities were carried out. One of the main scientific activities was empirical scientific research, which was conducted, using a survey method over several months in 2020. The paper will present the results of the research, related to the role of the project in the knowledge of the encyclical Laudato Si’ and the awakening of interest in the encyclical, according to the socio-demographic characteristics of the respondents. The results show that men have heard of the encyclical Laudato Si’ to a somewhat greater extent than women. The largest number of respondents, who heard about the encyclical for the first time through the project, are those who belong to the youngest age group, followed by those with high school education. Arousing interest in Encyclical Letter topics is more encouraged among women, those over 65 years old, respondents with completed primary school, and those who are self-employed or retired.

Usability analysis taking into consideration the aspects of accessibility of selected university websites

The goal of this paper was to evaluate selected web services of universities in terms of user experience, with particular emphasis on usability and accessibility. The research was conducted using eye-tracking and questionnaire methods. Ten people participated in this study. The objects of the study were three university websites: the Catholic University of Lublin (KUL), the Cracow University of Technology (PK) and the West Pomeranian University of Technology (ZUT). The eye-tracking data were subjected to qualitative and quantitative analyses, while the data from questionnaires were subjected to quantitative analysis. The results of individual analyses are presented in the form of heat maps, scan paths, charts and tables.

Career Success Model: A Case Study of Information Technology Graduates

Success in a career is everyone's dream, and it is not an exception for Information Technology graduates who are engaged in information technology-related jobs. Several studies have documented the role of the following two (2) constructs, namely Career Competence (CC) and Lecturer Competence (LC), in Career Success (CS). The authors believe that University Commitment (UC) must be included in this list. This research aims at developing a model that explains and measures the relationship amongst those four (4) constructs. The model that will be developed is based on the Structural Equations Modelling Technique. Respondents participating in this research are IT graduates working in IT-related jobs who have graduated from three (3) private universities in Bandung (Indonesia), namely, Maranatha Christian University (UKM), Parahyangan Catholic University (UNPAR), and Harapan Bangsa Institute of Technology (ITHB)) with graduating years ranging from 2006 to 2018. The collected data will be processed using IBM SPSS AMOS. This research proves that firstly, LC influences both UC and CC, secondly, UC influences CC, and lastly, CC affects CS. Further hope this model can be developed for other universities in Indonesia to increase Lecture Competency and University Commitments by the strategic plans of each university. Respondents participating in this research are IT graduates working in IT-related jobs who have graduated from three (3) private universities in Bandung (Indonesia), namely, Maranatha Christian University (UKM), Parahyangan Catholic University (UNPAR), and Harapan Bangsa Institute of Technology (ITHB)) with graduating years range from 2006 to 2018. The collected data will be processed using IBM SPSS AMOS. This research proves that firstly, LC influences both UC and CC, secondly, UC influences CC, and lastly, CC affects CS. Further hope this model can be developed for other universities in Indonesia to increase Lecture Competency and University Commitments by the strategic plans of each university. Keywords— Department of Information Technology, Career Success, Commitment of Higher Education Lecturer Competency, Career Competence

From On-site to Online Class: The Role of Mediation in Online Teaching Simulation

This paper presents the findings of a pilot study that explored the relationship between mediation and teaching simulation activities during a postgraduate course for CLIL (Content and Language Integrated Learning). A controversial factor of the experiment was the overall lockdown that happened in Spain during the Spring through Summer of 2020. These extenuating circumstances compelled the lecturers to innovate by transforming a traditional on-site classroom practice into an online training opportunity. There were forty-two participants in the English language training for the content teacher's course. This pilot project was taught at the Catholic University of Valencia. The pilot study's outcomes were the display of feasibility of the curricular adaptation by providing (1) CLIL teaching simulation planning, (2) teaching simulation assessment sheet and (3) questionnaire responses, all of them closely related to mediation and online education. The analysis of the data collected through the study outcomes yielded positive effects of the methodology used. Therefore, the initial results suggest the possibility of this curricular update. We recommend developing the connection between mediation, online instruction and CLIL teacher training opportunities by applying the lessons learned in an authentic school setting.

Development of a Learning Model of Quadric Surfaces With Augmented Reality and Didactic Engineering

<p class="0abstract">Augmented reality (AR) is an emerging technology that has permeated different spheres of life, one of them is education, and specifically the teaching-learning process at different educational levels and objects of study. For this reason, this paper presents the development of a learning model of quadric surfaces mediated by a mobile AR application and based on didactic engineering. The model was applied to a group of environmental engineering students of the Catholic University of Manizales. To obtain information on the use of the application and the learning results obtained, some intervention instruments were developed. The students stated that the use of AR allowed them to better understand the concepts of quadric surfaces, even more so in a time of pandemic by COVID-19, where education was highly measured by ICTs.</p>