Design and Validation of an Instrument to Measure Educational Innovations in Primary and Pre-Primary Schools

The creation and implementation of innovation proposals in education can provide a new key towards sustainable development. We are aware that schools perform very different innovations but often, with very low levels of impact and dissemination in their community. There are not many studies that describe, put a value on, categorize or analyse the innovations. This study sought to gain insight into the ICT innovations produced in Spanish primary and pre-primary schools. A quantitative approach based on a questionnaire was used to collect the data, named MANEDUIN, completed by 86 teachers selected by stratified random sampling (public - private, rural - urban). The reliability and the construct-related validity was evaluated from the questionnaire and the validity of content decided by means of experts’ judgment. Our findings point to a good consistency in the questionnaire (Cronbach’s Alpha: 0.848). The descriptive statistics and the analysis were made by factorial categories. The results of the factorial analysis confirm the dimensions proposed in the design of the questionnaire in the categories of the factors included in the innovation (social cohesion, interaction with the community, technologies, and success), the innovative schools and their characteristics, the topic and the type of innovation (on resources, direction, materials and time), as well as the obstacles to the innovation. This paper concludes that the questionnaire MANEDUIN is a valid and reliable tool to measure the management of schools’ innovations.

Teacher Activities in Adaptation of Innovative Study Methods at University

The emergence of various types of educational innovations affect and change not only students learning methods but also teachers' competences and activities. Innovative study methods (ISM) are characterised by novelty to their implementers. Adoption of innovations as well as innovative study methods are faster and better when they are close from cultural-, social-, and value-based perspectives (i.e., when they are adapted). The teacher should have the appropriate competences to adapt, modify educational innovations, as well as study methods according to the students while at the same time not departing from the study program aims and study subject (module) results. The chapter aims to find answers to the research questions: What are the peculiarities of teachers' activities in adapting innovative study methods? How does the adaptation of an innovative study method affect other elements of the pedagogical system course? What are the possible variations in the process of innovative study method adaptation?

Promoting educational innovations and change through networks between higher education teachers

Innovation in higher education teaching is essential to respond to global challenges and actively improve teaching (e.g. through new technologies), necessitating the implementation of educational reform programmes that fund educational innovations. Although currently deployed strategies frequently promote networks between innovators to diffuse educational innovations, little is known about the efficiency of these networks or whether they promote innovation diffusion. This study investigates a network comprising 88 higher education teachers who received funding for their educational innovations in a German university. We collected longitudinal data by asking higher education teachers from whom they adopted innovative teaching ideas and requesting self-reports on innovative teaching climate. Our findings show that the teachers’ social network had a smaller path length and more clustering than might be expected by chance. This observation might indicate that the examined educational innovation network exhibits a small-world property and allows efficient exchange of ideas among the teachers. In line with our hypotheses, the network’s initial tendency toward hierarchy and homophily decreased over time in response to strategies and network interventions. In summary, this study provides initial empirical support that educational reform programmes can create efficient educational innovation networks, facilitating innovation diffusion and promoting change in higher education teaching.

The Fight for a Public University in Boston: Making a Public-Private Educational System

This article explores the conflict between US public and private higher educational institutions by tracing the long struggle for a public university in Boston between 1890 and 1980. This history reveals how the competitive relationship between public and private institutions was central to the formation of each sector, while also complicating a clear dichotomy between the two. Educational innovations such as state scholarships, teacher-training initiatives, university extension courses, and junior colleges are also recast in this story as strategies to limit, rather than expand, the public sector. Finally, this history should prompt a reinterpretation of the current neoliberal moment. Rather than view contemporary budget cuts and public-private partnerships as novel historical departures of the late twentieth century, they appear in this Massachusetts story as a return to a political landscape long hostile to public higher education.

On Neuroeducation: Why and How to Improve Neuroscientific Literacy in Educational Professionals

New findings from the neurosciences receive much interest for use in the applied field of education. For the past 15 years, neuroeducation and the application of neuroscience knowledge were seen to have promise, but there is presently some lack of progress. The present paper states that this is due to several factors. Neuromyths are still prevalent, and there is a confusion of tongues between the many neurodisciplines and the domains of behavioral and educational sciences. Second, a focus upon cognitive neuroimaging research has yielded findings that are scientifically relevant, but cannot be used for direct application in the classroom. A third factor pertains to the emphasis which has been on didactics and teaching, whereas the promise of neuroeducation for the teacher may lie more on pedagogical inspiration and support. This article states that the most important knowledge and insights have to do with the notion of brain plasticity; the vision that development is driven by an interaction between a person’s biology and the social system. This helps individuals to select and process information, and to adapt to the personal environment. The paper describes how brain maturation and neuropsychological development extend through the important period of adolescence and emergent adulthood. Over this long period, there is a major development of the Executive Functions (EFs) that are essential for both cognitive learning, social behavior and emotional processing and, eventually, personal growth. The paper describes the basic neuroscience knowledge and insights – or “neuroscientific literacy” – that the educational professional should have to understand and appreciate the above-described themes. The authors formulate a proposal for four themes of neuroscience content “that every teacher should know.” These four themes are based on the Neuroscience Core Concepts formulated by the Society for Neuroscience. The authors emphasize that integrating neuroscientific knowledge and insights in the field of education should not be a one-way street; attempts directed at improving neuroscientific literacy are a transdisciplinary undertaking. Teacher trainers, experts from the neuroscience fields but also behavioral scientists from applied fields (notable applied neuropsychologists) should all contribute to for the educational innovations needed.

Innovative Gerontology in Higher Education: Transformative Effects of the Pandemic

Gerontology in higher education is experiencing an exciting inflection point rising from the COVID pandemic pushing us to adapt our teaching modalities. Many educators have developed innovative learning experiences making use of creativity, virtual reality, online discussion boards, virtual tours, Jam Boards, videos, and breakout rooms. This symposium will bring together gerontologists and educators to discuss their educational innovations. Dr. Saunders will discuss the use of virtual reality in a Geriatrics clerkship experience to enhance knowledge, empathy, and attitudes towards older adults. Dr. Hanna and Ms. Kim will present the use of a virtual avatar to explore aging identity. Professor Barsness will discuss the participation of older adults from the community as subject matter experts. Ms. Redlich will share her virtual internship experience of exploring the intellectual and social benefits of adult study abroad. Although the pandemic was challenging to gerontological education, substantial transformations have been accomplished. The innovations described in this session broadened engagement of students with older adults to identify their strengths and challenges to flourish in the "New Normal."

Usages des Reseaux Sociaux par des Etudiants du Departement de Socioanthropologie a l’Universite Alassane Ouattara en Periode de Crise Sanitaire COVID 19

Face à la psychose liée à la COVID-19 dans le monde, les individus et les institutions ont mobilisé divers mécanismes de résilience. A l’Université Alassane Ouattara (UAO) durant le confinement, des innovations pédagogiques, à savoir les enseignements par visioconférences, des cours en ligne et à distance à travers les mails sont entrepris. Plusieurs plateformes et espaces d’échange entre enseignants et étudiants ainsi qu’entre pairs étudiants sont créés. Toutefois, peu d’études ont été conduites pour renseigner avec exactitude sur les usages réels de ces réseaux sociaux par les étudiants durant le temps du confinement. L’objectif de cette étude est de déterminer les différents usages que font les étudiants du département de socio-anthropologie de l’UAO des réseaux sociaux en période de COVID-19. L’étude porte sur trente (30) sujets choisis de façon empirique dans les différents groupes sociaux (Facebook, Instagram, Telegram, WhatsApp, etc.). L’ancrage théorique de cette étude est la théorie de l’action raisonnée de Fishbein et Ajzen (1975). L’étude est qualitative, notamment phénoménologique. L’observation, la recherche documentaire et l’entretien semi-directif ont été utilisés comme techniques de recueils des données. Selon les résultats le facteur principal de l’utilisation des réseaux sociaux est l’anxiété suivie des activités lucratives et des besoins d’étude. En ce qui concerne, l’ordre de préférence des réseaux sociaux les plus visités WhatsApp vient en tête, suivi de Facebook, ensuite YouTube et enfin d’Instagram. Faced with the psychosis linked to COVID-19 around the world, individuals and institutions have mobilized various resilience mechanisms. At Alassane Ouattara University (UAO) during confinement, educational innovations, namely teaching by videoconferencing, online and distance courses through emails are being undertaken. Several platforms and spaces for exchange between teachers and students as well as student peers are created. However, few studies have been conducted to provide accurate information on the real uses of these social networks by students during the time of confinement. The objective of this study is to determine the different uses that students of the socio-anthropology department of the UAO make of social networks during COVID-19. The study covers thirty (30) subjects chosen empirically from different social groups (Facebook, Instagram, Telegram, WhatsApp, etc.). The theoretical grounding of this study is the theory of reasoned action of Fishbein and Ajzen (1975). The study is qualitative, in particular phenomenological. Observation, desk research and semi-structured interviews were used as data collection techniques. According to the results the main factor in the use of social networks is anxiety followed by profitmaking activities and study needs. With regard to the order of preference of the most visited social networks WhatsApp comes first, followed by Facebook, then YouTube and finally Instagram.

Role of 5G and Artificial Intelligence for Research and Transformation of English Situational Teaching in Higher Studies

We live in a modern and technological society run by intelligent and human-like machines and systems. This is due to the advancements in the field of artificial intelligence. The machines are directly or indirectly used in different sectors like healthcare, automatic vehicles, and complex decision-making and at the same used in educational institutes. The usage of AI-based systems and the Internet has brought numerous educational innovations for both teachers and students. With the online learning platforms grounded on AI techniques, 5G has revolutionized the teaching and learning methods by smooth and faster access to educational content. Students of foreign languages, especially English learners, can now use chatbots and intelligent tutoring systems to learn and practice their speaking and listening skills offline and online. With Computer-Assisted Language Learning (CALL), the English learning process can now be interactive and productive. The students can now improve their language skills by conversing with AI-based agents instead of native speakers to avoid any fear and anxiety. The intelligent platforms can understand the consuming power of the student and hence can create and give content according to their level to create an individualized learning environment. With the help of digital assistants, people can also find it very easy and productive to improve English proficiency. To accomplish the goal of English teaching very easily and ideally, the teachers should use AI-based techniques in the classrooms. With the help of intelligent assistants for the daily workload of a teacher, we will be able to concentrate fully on the language learning and skills of the students. The current study has presented a detailed overview of 5G and AI’s role in research and transformation of English situational teaching in higher studies. The search results are compiled and presented with different details of the area.

Knowledge Building International Project as an Innovative Learning Environment

The Knowledge Building International Project (KBIP), implemented in a network of eight schools in Catalonia, demonstrates the value of an Innovative Learning Environment (ILE) towards supporting dialogical, technological, and systemic dimensions in teaching and learning. Using a design-based research (DBR) approach, a survey queried teachers, students, and external stakeholders regarding their perceptions about educational innovation. The results provide both the profile and the innovative nature of the whole KBIP experience at each participating school. The main results help illustrate the potential of KBIP methodologies. The findings exemplify the value of this particular DBR method for evaluating educational innovations.

Framework for Systemic Change in Undergraduate STEM Teaching and Learning

The Framework for Systemic Change in Undergraduate STEM Teaching and Learning provides a change model for improving the quality and effectiveness of STEM teaching and learning at research universities. The Framework recognizes the wider setting in which educational innovations take place — the department, the college, the university and the external environment — and addresses key institutional elements necessary for sustained improvement to undergraduate STEM education.