THE IMPLEMENTATION OF EPORTFOLIOS IN AN ONLINE GRADUATE PROGRAM

A myriad of research has documented that an ePortfolio provides a comprehensive platform for learners to record their mastery of practical skillsets, create meaning from their learning, and reflect upon years of experiences. An ePortfolio also serves as a powerful digital resume and useful marketing vehicle to attract prospective employers. This case study examined the impacts of implementing ePortfolios in a capstone course of an online master’s program in health care administration. Students’ perceptions of this powerful pedagogical tool and the process of creating a Portfolio were explored. The findings supported previous research on the implementation of ePortfolios in various programs. Students enjoyed the ePortfolio process, critically evaluated their academic work and accomplishments, and valued peer-reviewed feedback offered by their peers. There were challenges observed in this study. While some challenges were unique to the study population, others were also disclosed in previous empirical studies. Recommendations were made for better integration of ePortfolios into the curricula of a program. Limitations and future research were also presented in this paper. <p> </p><p><strong> Article visualizations:</strong></p><p><img src="/-counters-/edu_01/0954/a.php" alt="Hit counter" /></p>

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND TRAINING IN POST-SECONDARY EDUCATION: PARTICIPATION IN A SUBSIDIZED PROGRAM “EXPORT TRADE EXECUTIVE”

The economic conditions nowadays with the increased international competition, open borders, and easier money circulation in the market have created the need for additional production, while unemployment rates have been on the rise making adults required to enrich their knowledge attend training seminars in order to achieve a successful transition from the education stage to the labor market. These new market conditions have led to the promotion of professional development and training of the workforce, which will be achieved through vocational education (Valiente et al., 2020, Saar et al., 2013). At the same time, the need for more opportunities for personal and social development and employment has created lifelong learning in post-secondary education. Subsidized training programs are very often implemented, organized by large organizations, in order to provide additional knowledge to adult workers and the unemployed, regardless of age, level of knowledge, degree, and specialty. This study explores the motivation and the criteria of the participation in one of the Subsidized Unemployed Program with the title “Export Trade Executive”. According to the results of the research, the driving force for the participation of adults in this kind of program is the professional development of the participants, the improvement of their professional skills, the adaptation to the new technological data, but also socialization through the program. <p> </p><p><strong> Article visualizations:</strong></p><p><img src="/-counters-/edu_01/0810/a.php" alt="Hit counter" /></p>

STUDENTS` ACHIEVEMENT IN ONLINE TEST AND MEASUREMENT COURSE IN SYNCHRONOUS AND ASYNCHRONOUS E-LEARNING PLATFORM

Studies reviewed on student’s achievement in synchronous and asynchronous learning shows mixed results. This study determines whether there exists a significant difference in the achievement of students in online test and measurement course in synchronous and asynchronous e-learning platform. The participants consist of 348 under graduate students of National Open University of Nigeria in online test and measurement course. The researchers employed ex-post facto research design for the study and the instrument used for data collection was the Students Test and Measurement Course Proforma (STMCP). The result revealed that synchronous e-learning improved students` academic achievement more than asynchronous e-learning. It was also found that gender of students significantly influenced their academic achievement in both synchronous and asynchronous learning in favour of the male students. The findings of this study will assist education planners and policy makers in planning decision making process which must come from the students as well as the society in general. Thus, education planners need to review the policies and distance learning curriculum in order to emphasize the importance of distance learning as well as facilitate decisions that will make available relevant and quality distance learning materials which will invariably improve students. <p> </p><p><strong> Article visualizations:</strong></p><p><img src="/-counters-/edu_01/0856/a.php" alt="Hit counter" /></p>

DEMOGRAPHIC CHARACTERISTICS OF TUTORS ON THE INTEGRATION OF INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY IN TEACHING AND LEARNING IN THE COLLEGES OF EDUCATION

The purpose of the study was to examine demographic characteristics of tutors on the integration of information and communication technology in teaching and learning in the Colleges of Education in Ghana. The descriptive survey design was used to conduct the study. The purposive sampling technique was used in the selection process. The sample size was 120 tutors. Independent sample t-test and One-way ANOVA were used to analyze the data. The findings showed that there is a significant difference between male and female tutors in their use of ICTs in teaching and learning in the public Colleges of Education in Ghana. The findings revealed that there is no significant difference between tutors with different age and their integration of ICT in teaching and learning. The findings again, indicated that there is no significant difference between the level of academic qualification and the use of ICTs among tutors. The results revealed that there is a significant difference between the use of ICTs among tutors based on their teaching experience. The study recommended that female tutors who could not effectively integrate ICT into the teaching and learning should be identified and supported to integrate ICT into the teaching of the subject. The study recommended that appropriate pedagogical models suitable for the integration of ICTs in teaching and learning should be developed by curriculum designers to assist tutors in their urge to employ them in the teaching and learning process. The study again, recommended that management of the public Colleges of Education in Ghana should seek sponsorship from internet service providers in Ghana to provide free or affordable and reliable internet connectivity in the colleges to facilitate effective use of ICTs in the teaching and learning in the Colleges of Education. <p> </p><p><strong> Article visualizations:</strong></p><p><img src="/-counters-/edu_01/0896/a.php" alt="Hit counter" /></p>

ENHANCING LEARNERS’ SATISFACTION TO IMPROVE RETENTION IN ONLINE CLASSES: CURRENT PRACTICES AT A CENTER OF FOREIGN LANGUAGES IN VIETNAM

Online learning has experienced rapid growth recently, particularly due to many schools’ closures because of the Covid-19 pandemic. As online learning is growing, institutions have become more interested in knowing what factors influence learners’ satisfaction in online learning environments. This becomes more important for them when the results of studies show lower retention in online courses than in face-to-face traditional courses. Although there is surprisingly little research empirically linking student satisfaction to retention, it is generally believed that there is indeed a positive relationship between the two. The current study was undertaken with 164 online learners at a center of foreign languages in Vietnam. An online survey was administered to assess the participants’ level of satisfaction with their online learning through the four main areas or groups of factors such as course content, teachers, online learning facilities and online learning support. The results revealed that the four groups are significantly associated with learners’ overall satisfaction with online learning, and there is positive retention rate during the program. <p> </p><p><strong> Article visualizations:</strong></p><p><img src="/-counters-/edu_01/0854/a.php" alt="Hit counter" /></p>

INTEGRATED SCIENCE TEACHERS’ SELF-EFFICACY BELIEFS AND IT’S IMPACT ON THEIR INSTRUCTIONAL PRACTICE

This study investigated the self-efficacy beliefs of Integrated Science Teachers in Senior High Schools and its impact on their instructional practice. The study employed the mixed method approach adopting the descriptive survey design. The study employed the use of questionnaire, interview and observation to collect data from 138 participants. Findings of the study observed that majority of the teachers had the requisite qualification to teach at the senior high school level, not all of them can confidently teach Integrated Science as an integrated whole. Some participants were of the view that since the subject encompass the various branches of science with the three main branches of the natural science dominating, it is imperative that more integrated science specialist are employed to handle the subject as an integrated whole and not in aspects as majority of the schools in the country are doing. Again, it was realised from this study that, teachers confidence level were low whenever they are teaching aspects that are not in their field of study. The study therefore recommends that regular, effective and efficient organisation of science workshops and seminars, continuous discussions about issues relating to the effective teaching of science in Senior High Schools should be held at least once every two years to enable teachers be updated with current practices in education. Again stakeholders of education should institute a scholarship package to enable more teachers to be trained to teach Integrated Science as an integrated whole to boost confidence in students. <p> </p><p><strong> Article visualizations:</strong></p><p><img src="/-counters-/edu_01/0895/a.php" alt="Hit counter" /></p>

PSYCHOLOGICAL WELL-BEING LEVELS OF TEACHER CANDIDATES IN THE DISTANCE EDUCATION PROCESS / UZAKTAN EĞİTİM SÜRECİNDE ÖĞRETMEN ADAYLARININ PSİKOLOJİK İYİ OLUŞ DÜZEYLERİ

The expansion of the global communication network with the help of technological developments has undoubtedly shown its greatest impact in the field of education. As a matter of fact, the spread of communication networks between countries and individuals, in the field of education; it has created a global perception of education by accelerating the circulation of information resources, ideas and products. Especially with the covid-19 epidemic, the transition to distance education has accelerated. In this context, it is considered important to investigate the behaviors and psychological states of students and to contribute to their good management of this process. The aim of this study is to examine the psychological well-being levels of teacher candidates in the distance education process. This research, which aims to examine the psychological well-being levels of teacher candidates in the distance education process, is a quantitative method with a causal comparison model. The study population of the research consists of İnönü University Faculty of Education students. The sample of the study consisted of 584 participants determined by the random stratified sampling method from the population. The data of the study were collected with the “Psychological Well-Being Scale”. Obtained data, independent groups t-test, one-way ANOVA and descriptive statistics tests were performed. Research findings showed that participants had high levels of psychological well-being. Teknolojik gelişmeler eliyle küresel iletişim ağının genişlemesi, şüphesiz en büyük etkisini eğitim alanında göstermiştir. Nitekim ülkeler ve bireyler arasındaki iletişim ağlarının yaygınlaşması, eğitim alanında; bilgi kaynaklarının, fikirlerin ve ürünlerin dolaşımını hızlandırarak küresel bir eğitim algısı meydana getirmiştir. Özellikle covid-19 salgını ile birlikte uzaktan eğitime geçiş süreci hızlanmıştır. Bu kapsamda öğrencilerin davranışlarını ve psikoloik durumlarını araştırmak ve bu süreci iyi yönetmelerine katkı sağlamak önemli görülmektedir. Bu çalışmanın amacı, öğretmen adaylarının uzaktan eğitim sürecinde psikolojik iyi oluş düzeylerinin incelenmesidir. Öğretmen adaylarının uzaktan eğitim sürecinde psikolojik iyi oluş düzeylerini incelemeyi amaçlayan bu araştırma nicel yöntemli nedensel karşılaştırma modelli bir araştırmadır. Araştırmanın çalışma evrenini İnönü Üniversitesi Eğitim Fakültesi Öğrencileri oluşturmaktadır. Araştırmanın örneklemi ise evrenden seçkisiz tabakalı örnekleme yöntemi ile belirlenen 584 katılımcı oluşturmuştur. Araştırmanın verileri “Psikolojik İyi Oluş Ölçeği” ile toplanmıştır. Elde edilen veriler, bağımsız gruplar t-testi, tek yönlü ANOVA ve betimsel istatistik testleri yapılmıştır. Araştırma bulguları katılımcıların psikolojik iyi oluş düzeylerinin yüksek olduğunu göstermiştir. <p> </p><p><strong> Article visualizations:</strong></p><p><img src="/-counters-/edu_01/0879/a.php" alt="Hit counter" /></p>

VIDEO AS AN INNOVATIVE METHOD TO WORK ON TOURISM STUDENTS RESEARCH SKILLS

Given the growing need for an increasingly practical teaching pedagogy, there is a need to innovate in content that helps us achieve the objectives of the different training programs. These innovations should not only respond to the application of new methodologies, but it is also necessary for the content to add value to the students. It is necessary that teachers advance at the same pace as society and understand that the expiration of content is increasingly rapid. I personally like to use videos in classes. But to do so, it has to fulfill a series of characteristics. Fundamentally, that its projection generates added value. That is, any proposal is meaningless if the recipient does not consider it useful. In this case, we will focus on how video can be a really interesting tool to grow research skills in tourism students. For this reason, it is key to understanding the students' perception of the usefulness of the videos used in class is key to identifying those resources that provide the most value and those that do not. In order to identify which ones are working better to accomplish our objective. Between 2018 and 2020, a multi-method investigation is carried out that includes survey techniques, discussion groups and interviews with students from different graduate programs in Ostetela Tourism Management School. Many authors, such as Castaño and Romero (2007) mention that the means to be used should not be perceived simply as technical elements, on the contrary they are didactic and communication elements. Along these lines, these and other authors consider that for a video to be didactic it must be produced (by the teacher) according to a series of criteria. Due to the characteristics of our students, external resources (mainly short videos speeches from key speakers) are used, and we understand that they are didactic not only if they help to understand the subject, but they can also help us to understand and simulate eventual professional situations. The provisional results show that the video is a much appreciated teaching resource. However, there is a great disparity in the perception of the students. Highlighting the video interview and the short video as resources that generate more added value. Visual content is increasingly present in classrooms. However, it is not always perceived as useful by students. The teacher must understand that not all resources generate positive impact on the student. Identifying which resources are appreciated as generators of added value is key to improving teaching quality.

ANALYSING THE CADENCE OF GROUP CONFLICTS ACROSS GENDER DURING ONLINE LEARNING

It has been two years since the world has been forced to cope with doing things online. Even in normal face-to-face group discussions, participants face difficulties and conflicts, and now online learning has not made it any easier. This study explores the ups and downs in group discussion. 72 participants responded to a survey to find out how they perceive the conflicts in group formation. The findings in this study revealed that there were significant differences the norming stage and also performing & adjourning stage. In addition to that, the total mean score showed interesting differences across gender. Not all group formations with different genders go through conflicts. Not all team members with the same gender are conflict-free. Sometimes discussions/some activities are more difficult to carry out because of conflicts across genders are not properly addressed. Then again, not all group conflicts are negative. Conflicts are good in several ways. The conversations improve the communication and negotiation skills of the team members. In addition to that, defending for one’s point helps to sharpen critical thinking skills. The findings in this study cannot be generalized for all situations in group work. This study can be a springboard for more group formation and group conflicts research. <p> </p><p><strong> Article visualizations:</strong></p><p><img src="/-counters-/edu_01/0860/a.php" alt="Hit counter" /></p>

LEARNER ACUMENS OF ONLINE EFL CLASSES AT THE PRIVATE UNIVERSITIES IN BANGLADESH

This study intended to evaluate the English as Foreign Language (EFL) learner responses to online classes during the covid-19 pandemic. It focused on the learner's insights rather than the teachers' views because the purpose is how the large population deals with technology during this pandemic. Though teachers are the real fighters, they are in a vacuum without the students' engagement. Therefore, this study showed EFL learners' readiness of using technology in attending online classes and what barriers they face during assessment and classes. It examined whether students can participate in group discussions, pair work, online assessment, respond to class, build their rapport, and get proper feedback or not. Data were collected randomly using a google form questionnaire having five elementary questions, fifteen Likert-type questions from 92 students of five private universities in Bangladesh. Besides, five questions were finally added to have an overview of multiple response analyses. Some imperative variables of flexibility, reliability, availability, and integrity regarding online classes were brought into light with descriptive analysis. Finally, the data were analysed in a qualitative approach. It shows that learners attending online courses and assessments are diverse regarding the availability of required facilities, and the students are having difficulties participating in online examinations. The result further implicates ensuring an intelligent learning environment in the 'new normal period' with more efficacy. <p> </p><p><strong> Article visualizations:</strong></p><p><img src="/-counters-/edu_01/0796/a.php" alt="Hit counter" /></p>