Promoting Continuous Professional Development of English Teachers Through Action Research

The current study adopts a mixed-method research design to foster English Language instructors’ attitude toward professional development, self-efficacy beliefs, and reflective thinking. Vygotsky's sociocultural theory constituted the base and the professional development program was designed accordingly. The participants of the study were nine English Language instructors working at three different universities. Throughout the 16-week program, it was aimed to equip the participants with action research skills to conduct their own study in their own context according to their needs and/or interests. All the participants completed the Plan, Act, Observe, and Reflect stages of the Action Research Cycle.

Penerapan Metode Demonstrasi Dan Tanya Jawab Dalam Meningkatkan Prestasi Belajar Kelas IV SD 4 Cendono Dawe Kudus

The purpose of this study is to describe the application of the demonstration method and question and answer in improving the learning achievement of class IV SD 4 Cranggang Dawe Kudus. This research is Classroom Action Research (CAR). The subjects of this study were in 4th grade Cranggang State Elementary School with a total of 25 students. In this action research using the form proposed by Kemmis and Taggart. The implementation of this research was carried out in 2 cycles, each of which went through four stages, namely the planning stage, the implementation stage, the data collection stage and the reflection stage. Data collection techniques in this study are observation, interviews, tests and questionnaires. The results of pre-cycle research, cycle I, and cycle II researchers know that there has been an increase in the acquisition of learning outcomes. The results of pre-cycle learning are the number of students who complete with a score above 70 as many as 11 students or only 44% of classical class completeness. In the improvement of learning in the first stage of the first cycle, the number of students who completed with grades above 70 were 15 students or only 60% of the classical class completeness. And in the improvement of learning in the second phase of cycle II, the number of students who completed with a score above 70 were 19 students, and 84% had achieved classical completion.Tujuan penelitian ini yaitu untuk mendreskripsikan penerapan metode demonstrasi dan tanya jawab dalam meningkatkan prestasi belajar kelas IV SD 4 Cranggang Dawe Kudus. Penelitian ini adalah Penelitian Tindakan Kelas (PTK). Subjek penelitian ini di Sekolah Dasar Negeri 4 Cranggang kelas IV dengan jumlah 25 siswa. Dalam penelitian tindakan ini menggunakan bentuk yang dikemukakan oleh Kemmis dan Taggart. Pelaksanaan penelitian ini dilaksanakan dalam 2 siklus, yang masing-masing melalui empat tahap yaitu tahap perencanaan, tahap pelaksanaan, tahap pengumpulan data dan tahap refleksi. Teknik pengumpulan data pada penelitian ini yaitu observasi, wawancara, tes dan angket. Hasil penelitian prasiklus, siklus I, dan siklus II peneliti ketahui bahwa telah terjadi peningkatan perolehan hasil belajar. Hasil belajar pra siklus jumlah siswa yang tuntas dengan nilai di atas 70 sejumlah 11 siswa atau hanya 44% ketuntasan klasikal kelas. Pada perbaikan pembelajaran tahap kesatu siklus I jumlah siswa yang tuntas dengan nilai di atas 70 sejumlah 15 siswa atau hanya 60% ketuntasan klasikal kelas. Dan pada perbaikan pembelajaran tahap kedua siklus II jumlah siswa yang tuntas dengan nilai di atas 70 sejunlah 19 siswa, dan sudah mencapai tuntas klasikal sebesar 84%.

Application of Artificial Neural Networks in Analysis of Time-Variable Optical Reflectance Spectra in Digital Light Projection Spectroscopy

This article undertakes the subject matter of applying artificial neural networks to analyze optical reflectance spectra of objects exhibiting a change of optical properties in the domain of time. A compact Digital Light Projection NIRscan Nano Evaluation Module spectrometer was used to record spectra. Due to the miniature spectrometer’s size and its simplicity of measurement, it can be used to conduct tests outside of a laboratory. A series of plant-derived objects were used as test subjects with rapidly changing optical properties in the presented research cycle. The application of artificial neural networks made it possible to determine the aging time of plants with a relatively low mean squared error, reaching 0.56 h for the Levenberg–Marquardt backpropagation training method. The results of the other ten training methods for artificial neural networks have been included in the paper.

Shifting From Tokenism to Meaningful Adolescent Participation in Research for Obesity Prevention: A Systematic Scoping Review

Background: Traditionally, adolescent participation in research has been tokenistic. Adolescents are rarely afforded the opportunity to influence decision-making in research designed to prevent obesity. Engaging adolescents in meaningful decision-making may enhance research translation. This review aimed to analyze the current modes and nature of adolescent participation in obesity prevention research decision-making.Methods: A systematic scoping review was conducted using Arksey and O'Malley's six-stage framework. Six major databases were searched for peer-reviewed primary research studies with adolescent participation related to obesity, physical activity, and diet. Modes of adolescent participation were categorized based on the Lansdown-UNICEF conceptual framework for measuring outcomes of adolescent participation. The framework outlines three modes of meaningful participation: (i) consultative, which involves taking opinions and needs into consideration; (ii) collaborative, where adolescents are partners in the decision-making process; and (iii) adolescent-led participation where adolescents have the capacity to influence the process and outcomes. The degree of involvement in research cycles was classified based on the National Health and Medical Research Council consumer engagement framework. Five stages of the research cycle were determined: identify, design and develop, conduct, analyze and disseminate.Results: In total, 126 papers describing 71 unique studies were identified. Of these, 69% (49/71) took place in the USA, and 85% (52/61) were conducted in minority or underserved communities, while males were more likely to be under-represented. In 49% (35/71) of studies, participation was consultative and 9% (6/71) of studies involved an adolescent-led approach. Furthermore, 87% (62/71) of studies incorporated adolescent participation in one or more of the research cycle's formative phases, which involve eliciting views, opinions and idea generation. Only 11% of studies engaged adolescents in all five stages of the research cycle where adolescents could have more influence over the research process.Conclusion: Meaningful adolescent participation in the obesity prevention research cycle is limited. Empowering and mobilizing equal partnership with adolescents should be at the forefront of all adolescent-related obesity prevention research.

Developing and disseminating data analysis tools for open science

In this short chapter, I emphasize how data analysis tools play a vital role in the open science research cycle. I also introduce freely available tools that can be used for open science research practices in applied linguistics. Recommendations are given on what developers should keep in mind when developing, releasing, and disseminating their tools.

Students’ intercultural sensitivity development through telecollaborative Chinese language learning on Zoom: a case study of Irish students at the beginning-level of Chinese language

This descriptive study presents the first research cycle with four synchronous telecollaborative language learning sessions on Zoom between Irish and Chinese teenagers. Intercultural Sensitivity Scale (ISS) post-questionnaire results show that the mean of interaction enjoyment scale is the highest compared to the other four categories, which implies that telecollaboration provides an enjoyable and authentic environment for Irish adolescent learners to experience communication with native speakers. However, low averages of ISS categories indicate some factors are at play such as short telecollaboration duration and potential technological issues. The gap between the previous needs analysis and current findings demonstrates that participants probably underestimated the challenge of engaging with Chinese native speakers, which would suggest that more scaffoldings and preparations are required for beginning-level learners before and during telecollaborations.

Improvement Of Volyball Lower Passing Skills Through Jigsaw Learning Model In Class Ix-J Students Of Mtsn 4 Jombang

This study aims to improve the mastery of the concept of passing down volleyball for class IX-J students at MTsN 4 Jombang in the 2019/2020 school year. The subjects of this study were students of class IX-J MTsN 4 Jombang in the 2019/2020 school year. The design of this research is that this research is a classroom action research so that the research design used in this study is a design of classroom action research (CAR). The research instrument consisted of learning observation sheets and student test sheets. The data from this study were analyzed using the formula for the average percentage score of the results of the research instrument. The results of this study indicate that there is an increase in the average value of student learning outcomes from each research cycle, with details of the average score in the first cycle of (73.33%), the second cycle (86.66%), and the third cycle (96.66%). . The conclusion of this study is that the jigsaw learning model has the potential to improve the mastery of the concept of passing under volleyball for class IX-J MTsN 4 Jombang students in the 2019/2020 school year.

An In-depth Exploration on the Praxis of Computer-assisted Qualitative Data Analysis Software (CAQDAS)

NVivo is a methodological tool in analyzing qualitative data. The software belongs to the genre of Computer-assisted Qualitative Data Analysis Software (CAQDAS). This qualitative case study aimed to explore the practices of NVivo adopters within the West Visayas State University (WVSU) System, Academic Year 2019-2020. A researcher-made and foreshadowed Focus Group Discussion (FGD), in-depth interview, and observation protocols were utilized to gather data from the participants. The conceptual analysis was done using NVivo 12 Plus, while the researcher did the analytic analysis. The study revealed that the WVSU NVivo adopters are generally tech-savvy and stationed in the research office. Their speed of using the software varies. The adopters vary in terms of using NVivo- some were fast learners, while others were slow. They regularly ask questions from the researcher-resource speaker, though the NVivo manual of operation was distributed to them. Seven (7) themes have emerged that may optimize NVivo’s functionalities in qualitative data analysis. These themes are requirements for improved coding practices, the need for enhanced visualization skills; the importance of the knowledge on the NVivo research cycle; qualities of NVivo adopters; motivation in using NVivo; and practices for practical qualitative data analysis using NVivo. It is thus concluded that there is a need for WVSU administration to consider several mechanisms to improve the use of CAQDAS, specifically NVivo, in qualitative data analysis.

The Slavic Qur’an Translation of the 16th–18th Centuries: Poland and Russia

This paper aims to continue and develop the research cycle on history of Qur’an translations in Europe. The paper deals with rethinking of possible background of Russian Qur’an translations, commonly traced back up to the first half of the 19th century. Ca. 1800 the tradition of Qur’an translating in Russia was already rich and varied in its scientific, literary and religious contexts. However, its origin could be found in the earlier similar tradition of Lithuanian Tatars, which was developed at least from the 16th century in intellectual space of the three states, namely Grand Duchy of Lithuania, Rzeczpospolita and Tsardom of Russia. This Muslim ethnocultural group shaped their own Qur’an translation school in the West Russian (Ruthenian, Old Belorusian) language closely related to modern Russian.

Students’ scientific representation enhancement through “ECRA” techniques in formative examination design

The recent studies in science learning has a specific interest with 4C’s which are communication, collaboration, critical thinking and creativity. This study explored the students’ 4C’s as they engage with physics concepts relating to alternating currents. This engagement entails students’ interpretation for descriptive questions. Following action research cycle, the study begin with planning the intervention using “ECRA” technique and conducted the activities with 38 Matriculation College students. The analysis attempt to make a connection between students’ ability to construct representational aspects of scientific description with formative achievement. This study systematically describes students’ understanding on the representations signify in the descriptive questions. Data collected from this study were Work Report, review of answers tutor questions, and interviews during observation stage. The finding suggests that, the ECRA technique is enabling students to obtain higher percentage in formative assessment by allowing them to developed richer conceptual understanding. Hence this study suggest that the representational issues in physics questions constructed in essay can be moderated with ECRA technique.