Tertiary level English Language Teachers' Use of, and Attitudes to Alternative and Online Assessments during the Covid-19 Outbreak

This study aims to investigate the English language teachers’ perceptions and attitudes towards the use of alternative and online assessments adopted during the Coronavirus (Covid-19) outbreak, in Saudi Arabia. The current study employs a descriptive method, and the data were collected using a survey questionnaire, which consists of 33 closed-ended and four open-ended questions. The participants were 102 (46 male and 56 female) teachers of English at Northern Border University, Saudi Arabia. The questionnaires were administered online via Google Form. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics for quantitative responses, whereas content analysis was used to analyze the qualitative responses collected from the open-ended questions. The findings revealed that the teachers had mixed reactions towards alternative and online assessments. The online assessments adopted were in form of both alternative and traditional types, administered via Blackboard. It was found that portfolios and oral presentations were the most frequently used forms of alternative assessments by the English language teachers at the time of Covid-19. Other types of alternative assessments, including, online collaborative/peer assessment, self-assessment, virtual concept map, concept map, article review, and mini-project, were claimed to be less used by the teachers. However, the teachers’ top priority was summative assessment, where by the traditional exams were in fact still be used in online assessment. In addition, teachers reported constraints related to time for the assessments, need for computer literacy, possibility of cheating, and technical issues, when adopting online assessments. However, they believed online assessment covered the content of the course of study. Teachers also reported that students did not initially like online assessment but later warmed to it as it proved easier to do well in. Finally, pedagogical implications are discussed based on the study findings.

Model PBL Diperkaya dengan Reading and Concept Map: Apakah Efektif dalam Meningkatkan Keterampilan Berpikir Kritis dan Minat Baca Siswa?

Rendahnya keterampilan berpikir kritis dan minat baca siswa Indonesia menuntut para pendidik untuk menghadirkan alternatif pembelajaran dengan model pembelajaran yang dapat meningkatkan keterampilan berpikir kritis dan minat baca. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk menguji pengaruh model pembelajaran Remap PBL terhadap keterampilan berpikir kritis dan juga minat baca siswa. Peniltian dilaksanakan menggunakan quasi experiment dengan desain penelitian non-equivalent pretest posttest control group. Rubrik penilaian keterampilan berpikir kritis yang terintegrasi tes essai dan angket motivasi digunakan untuk mengumpulkan data penelitian. Hasil pengujian Anacova menunjukkan bahwa ada pengaruh Remap PBL terhadap keterampilan berpikir kritis (p = 0,000) dan minat baca siswa (p = 0,015). Hasil analisis juga menunjukkan keterampilan berpikir kritis siswa pada kelas yang diajarkan Remap PBL meningkat sebesar 67,1%, sementara pada kelas yang menerapkan pembelajaran saintifik sebesar 47,7%. Demikian pula, Remap PBL terbukti mampu meningkatan minat baca siswa sebesar 9,8%, dibandingkan kelas kontrol yang menerapkan pembelajaran saintifik dengan peningkatan sebesar 5,9%. Dengan demikian, model pembelajaran Remap PBL dapat dijadikan sebagai alternatif pembelajaran untuk meningkatkan keterampilan berpikir kritis dan minat baca siswa.

Conceptualizing Vulnerability for Health Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic and the Associated Measures in Utrecht and Zeist: A Concept Map

The COVID-19 pandemic and the associated measures have impacted the health of many. Not all population groups are equally vulnerable to such health effects, possibly increasing health inequalities. We performed a group concept mapping procedure to define a common, context-specific understanding of what makes people vulnerable to health effects of the pandemic and the measures. We organized a two-step, blended brainstorming session with locally involved community members, using the brainstorm focus prompt ‘What I think makes people vulnerable for the COVID-19 pandemic and the measures is…’. We asked participants to generate as many statements as possible. Participants then individually structured (sorted and ranked) these statements. The structuring data was analysed using the groupwisdomTM software and then interpreted by the researchers to generate the concept map. Ninety-eight statements were generated by 19 participants. Sixteen participants completed both structuring tasks. The final concept map consisted of 12 clusters of vulnerability factors, indicating a broad conceptualization of vulnerability during the pandemic. It is being used as a basis for future research and local supportive interventions. Concept mapping is an effective method to arrive at a vulnerability assessment in a community in a short time and, moreover, a method that promotes community engagement.

Development of a conceptual model of childhood asthma to inform asthma prevention policies

BackgroundThere is no definitive cure for asthma, as prevention remains a major goal. Decision analytic models are routinely used to evaluate the value-for-money proposition of interventions. Following best practice standards in decision-analytic modelling, the objective of this study was to solicit expert opinion to develop a concept map for a policy model for primary prevention of asthma.MethodsWe reviewed currently available decision analytic models for asthma prevention. A steering committee of economic modellers, allergists and respirologists was then convened to draft a conceptual model of paediatric asthma. A modified Delphi method was followed to define the context of the problem at hand (evaluation of asthma prevention strategies) and develop the concept map of the model.ResultsConsensus was achieved after three rounds of discussions, followed by concealed voting. In the final conceptual model, asthma diagnosis was based on three domains of lung function, atopy and their symptoms. The panel recommended several markers for each domain. These domains were in turn affected by several risk factors. The panel clustered all risk factors under three groups of ‘patient characteristic’, ‘family history’ and ‘environmental factors’. To be capable of modelling the interplay among risk factors, the panel recommended the use of microsimulation, with an open-population approach that would enable modelling phased implementation and gradual and incomplete uptake of the intervention.ConclusionsEconomic evaluation of childhood interventions for preventing asthma will require modelling of several codependent risk factors and multiple domains that affect the diagnosis. The conceptual model can inform the development and validation of a policy model for childhood asthma prevention.

Literature review as a didactical content analysis: Sustainable magnetic lubricants based on ionic liquids

Magnetic lubricants are usually petroleum-based, but not renewable and cannot be environmentally degraded. It can cause the environmental problems. Magnetic lubricants based on ionic liquids can be environmental friendly. The ionic liquid lubricants are synthesized from vegetable oil fatty acids, which is a locally sustainable and renewable sources. This molecular engineering can be used to integrate the concept of sustainability into teaching and learning. This study aimed to obtain the concept map and teaching learning sequence (TLS) from the scientist’s conception. The method used is a qualitative content analysis (literature analysis type), using an instrument in the form of a content analysis format. The first phase begins with collecting literatures in the form of textbooks, monographs, review results and research articles. The next phase is descriptive analysis, selecting categories, and evaluating the material didactically. This research produces the concept map, TLS and clarified chemical concepts. The scientist’s conception obtained is the application, function, characteristics of media magnetic lubricants, ionic liquids and examples of magnetic lubricants based on ionic liquids. Concept map and TLS can illustrate the relationship between one concept and another. They also show the relationship between science, technology and engineering. The results can be used as the basis for the preparation of teaching materials and didactical designs for teaching and learning.

Identifying Occupational Therapy Research Priorities in Trinidad and Tobago: A Group Concept Mapping Study

In Trinidad and Tobago, occupational therapy is an emerging profession with limitations in the number of practitioners and the scope of practice. With the development of a new Master of Science Occupational Therapy programme in the country, the profession is continuously growing. There has been an increased demand for culturally relevant research to build the occupational therapy evidence base locally. However, the narrow range of occupational therapy literature in the country makes it difficult to highlight research gaps and decipher what research areas should be prioritised to best impact occupational therapy practice at present. This group concept mapping study is aimed at identifying priority areas for occupational therapy research in Trinidad and Tobago from the perspectives of occupational therapy students and practitioners. Participants brainstormed and contributed specific research ideas they would like to see developed in the country. Individually, participants sorted these ideas into themes and rated each idea based on perceived importance and feasibility. Using the GroupWisdom™ software, multidimensional scaling and hierarchical cluster analyses were applied to the sort data to create idea clusters within a concept map. Rating values were analysed to determine priority research themes within the concept map. The resulting concept map illustrated seven research priorities: Contextualising Practitioner Development, The Realities of Emerging OT Practice, Localising Mental Health OT, Occupation and Participation of Children and Youth, School-based OT in the Local Context, OT with Special Populations, and OT Contributions to the Public Health Sector. These findings represent the research needs of the occupational therapy profession in Trinidad and Tobago and will help to focus future researchers’ efforts to expand the local evidence base.