Showing papers in "International Journal of Instruction in 2012"

Barriers to the Introduction of ICT into Education in Developing Countries: The Example of Bangladesh

Abstract: Within a very few years, Information and Communication Technology (ICT) has turned out to be an effective educational technology which promotes some dramatic changes in teaching and learning processes. Technologies allow students to work more productively than in the past, but the teacher's role in technologyrich classrooms is more demanding than ever (Keengwe, Onchwari et al. 2008). ICT has the potential to transform the nature of education (improving teachers' design work, enhancing the roles of students and teachers in the learning process and helping to create a collaborative learning environment, etc). Although ICT has the potential to improve the educational system to a great extent, developing countries are far from reaping these benefits because of certain barriers. The aim of this paper is to present a comprehensive review of international articles relating to barriers encountered when introducing ICT into classrooms. This review will help identify the factors that influence teachers' decisions whether or not to implement ICT in teaching-learning situations. Connections will be made with existing literature to explore possible barriers for introducing ICT into education in Bangladesh. Further, this paper also offers a number of recommendations to reduce these barriers and maximize the beneficial use of ICT on education.

Reflective thinking and teaching practices: a precursor for incorporating critical thinking into the classroom?

Abstract: The concept of reflective thinking as a precursor for incorporating critical thinking has been not been adequately researched. Most research has not given any effective strategies on how to incorporate these two concepts. There is a constant need to incorporate critical thinking into the classroom without much success. This study will attempt to show a link between reflective thinking and its ability to stimulate critical thinking. Teachers often perceive that critical thinking skills need to be taught, however research has shown that they may not know how to do this effectively. The use of reflective thinking may be a precursor to stimulating critical thinking in teachers. The research questions are on the reflective thinking skills of teachers and how they perceive themselves and their teaching. In this study a total of 60 participants from institutions of higher learning volunteered to answer a questionnaire to determine the level at which they reflected on their teaching practices as an indicator of their level of critical thinking. It was found that most of the teachers did not reflect deeply on their teaching practices. They did not seem to practice the four learning processes: assumption analysis, contextual awareness, imaginative speculation and reflective scepticism which were indicative of reflection. It would suggest that critical thinking is practised minimally among teachers. Further research need to be carried out on how to bring about reflective practices among teachers and how it would enhance the quality of lessons in terms of critical thinking.

The Impact of Years of Teaching Experience on the Classroom Management Approaches of Elementary School Teachers.

Abstract: This study provided a basis for answering the following essential question: Does the years of experience affect teachers' classroom management approaches? Data were collected from 268 primary school teachers. The findings of this study demonstrated that experienced teachers are more likely to prefer to be in control in their classrooms than beginning teachers while interacting with students when making decisions. Investigating the previous studies, researchers were able to discover that there is certain path teachers follow through their career. While preservice teachers prefer non-interventionism (minimum teacher control), they support interactionism (shared control) during internship and early career years, and finally they prefer to choose complete teacher control when they become experienced teachers.

Developing EFL Teaching and Learning Practices in Saudi Colleges: A Review.

Abstract: Saudi Ministry of education is highly concerned with the pursuit of excellence in effective EFL teaching-learning in the arena of education but it experiences tardy progress especially in college level. This is a common scenario in almost every stage of learning in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Behind this backdrop, this paper explores the new flights and avenues of developing EFL teaching-learning aspect in the intermediate level. The author of this study valorised to investigate the possible corridors in the realm of language learning motivation with a view to developing and incorporating EFL teaching-learning affairs and attempts to diagnose the predicaments of EFL learning in Saudi colleges through survey questionnaires for both teachers and students (see Appendix-1&2) and observation. The data of this research were collected through questionnaires from a total of 380 students and 94 teachers at renowned institutions of all the regions of the Kingdom. Finally, this paper offers some useful and effective recommendations to speed up better EFL learning outcomes based on the results of statistical data analyses and observation of the present research survey.

Cooperative learning in distance learning: a mixed methods study

Abstract: Distance learning has facilitated innovative means to include Cooperative Learning (CL) in virtual settings. This study, conducted at a Hispanic-Serving Institution, compared the effectiveness of online CL strategies in discussion forums with traditional online forums. Quantitative and qualitative data were collected from 56 graduate student participants. Quantitative results revealed no significant difference on student success between CL and Traditional formats. The qualitative data revealed that students in the cooperative learning groups found more learning benefits than the Traditional group. The study will benefit instructors and students in distance learning to improve teaching and learning practices in a virtual classroom.

A Constructivist Approach to the Design and Delivery of an Online Professional Development Course: A Case of the iEARN Online Course.

Abstract: This study examined the International Education and Resource Network Science Technology and Math (iEARN-STM) online professional development course. The study used the constructivist framework as the conceptual model to examine the way in which the constructivist theory has shaped the design and implementation of the course, as reflected by the interactions of a cohort of participants in the course. The participants were 28 educators enrolled in the course, who were either teacher educators or teachers, working in different educational institutions in different countries throughout the world. The purpose of the study was to understand how the iEARN online professional development course supported teachers’ learning through effective discourse in an online environment and to identify the constructivist learning principles that were behind the success of the course. The design of the course appeared to have a positive impact on participants’ collaboration with peers. Results of the study confirms earlier research findings that the constructivist approach to course design and delivery provides a powerful structure for creating learning environments conducive to the development of professional skills among educators. Results of this study can be used to assist professional development coordinators and administrators to plan effective professional development. The results of the study are also expected to contribute to improvements in the design of professional development course content, instruction, delivery and administration, focusing on factors such as program model, delivery, contextual factors or best practices.

EFL Reading Instruction: Communicative Task-Based Approach.

Abstract: The purpose of this study was to examine the overarching framework of EFL (English as a Foreign Language) reading instructional approach reflected in an EFL secondary school curriculum in Malaysia. Based on such analysis, a comparison was made if Communicative Task-Based Language is the overarching instructional approach for the Malaysian EFL secondary reading curriculum. This study used document reviews as the primary data collection. The coding of data analysis was based on the modifications of the components of Richards and Rodgers’s (2001) analysis of language teaching model. The curriculum was examined in terms of theories of SLA, theories of L2 reading as well as learner roles in relation to Communicative Task-Based Language Teaching (CTBLT) characteristics. The findings of the study suggest that the majority of reading tasks in the selected EFL secondary reading curriculum is highly lacking CTBLT characteristics. The results of the study were discussed in relation to the current Malaysian EFL secondary curriculum framework and their implications on the EFL reading at the tertiary level.

Relationships among Preservice Primary Mathematics Teachers' Gender, Academic Success and Spatial Ability.

Abstract: The aim of this work is to investigate relationships among pre-service primary mathematics teachers’ gender, academic success and spatial ability. The study was conducted in Izmir with 193 pre-service primary mathematics teachers of Dokuz Eylul University. In the work, spatial ability test, which consists of two main sub-tests measuring spatial orientation and spatial visualization abilities, is used. In order to analyze the obtained data, descriptive statistics, Pearson product moment correlation coefficient and Mann-Whitney U test are used. The results indicated that pre-service primary mathematics teachers’ spatial ability level is low; there is a positive relationship between spatial ability and academic success; there is no significant difference between spatial ability and gender and the abilities of spatial orientation and spatial visualization are positively correlated. Some important research questions are also proposed. Key Words: spatial visualization, spatial orientation, spatial ability, mathematics education, academic success

Pre-Service Teachers’ Beliefs about Teaching English to Primary School Children

Abstract: This paper is a part of an ongoing doctoral research on ‘Teacher Talk in ESL Classrooms’. The idea for this was gained through the hypothesis that teachers’ beliefs about English teaching may also mould their talk. The researcher intends here to analyse and comment on teachers’ English teaching beliefs. It is generally accepted that teaching is greatly affected by the belief systems of its practitionersteachers. Teachers’ beliefs influence their consciousness, teaching attitude, teaching methods and teaching policies, and finally, learners’ development. Horwitz (1987) also states rightly that the formation of teachers’ educational beliefs in language teaching/ learning process will influence, though indirectly, on forming effective teaching methods and will bring about the improvement of learners’ language learning abilities. In Indian context, there is dearth of research evaluating teachers’ beliefs about English teaching. This study explores teachers’ beliefs regarding teaching English to children and tries to explore whether medium of instruction makes any difference in their beliefs. It also intends to determine what similar and different beliefs might be held by in-service teachers from two different mediums. A total of 100 pre-service teachers are the subjects of this study. In order to recognize these teachers’ specific beliefs in a more systematic way, a research instrument, The Questionnaire of Primary School Pre-service English Teachers’ Teaching Beliefs was developed. Almost all of these preservice teachers expected to have training regarding how to make their talk effective and relevant in classrooms.

Analyzing algebraic thinking using "guess my number" problems

Abstract: The purpose of this study was to assess student knowledge of numeric, visual and algebraic representations. A definite gap between arithmetic and algebra has been documented in the research. The researchers’ goal was to identify a link between the two. Using four “Guess My Number problems, seventh and tenth grade students were asked to write numeric, visual, and algebraic representations. Seventh-grade students had significantly higher scores than tenth-grade students on visual representation responses. There were no significant differences between the seventh and tenth grade students’ responses on the numeric and algebraic representation. The researchers believed that the semi-concrete and visual models, such as used in this study, may provide the link between numeric and algebraic concepts for many students.

The Effect of Preventive Classroom Management Training Program on Approval and Disapproval Behaviors of Teachers.

Abstract: In this study, the effect of Preventive Classroom Management Training Program (PCMTP) on approval and disapproval behaviors of teachers working in inclusive classrooms was investigated. The study group consisted of 45 teachers who were working in public schools and had students with special needs in their classrooms. Data were gathered using Teacher Behaviors Observation Form, which was developed by the researcher, and during one lesson which was videotaped in the classrooms of teachers in the experimental group (n=21) who had a training using PCMTP and the control group (n=24). The analysis of the research data revealed that PCMTP did not make significant differences in the approval/disapproval behaviors of the teachers in terms of the post-test results but the maintenance results showed that disapproval behaviors of the teachers were significantly lower.

Developing a CEF Based Curriculum: A Case Study.

Abstract: The common purposes of the studies conducted in language program evaluations are to examine the match between what is desired for the programme versus the actual state of the programme, to make judgments about learners’ level of skills and knowledge, and to make suggestions for improvement. However, it is not currently common practice in Turkey either to develop language teaching programmes based on the Common European Framework as a reference, or to introduce improvements in these programmes based on an evaluation of their effectiveness. This study aims to describe the process of developing a new teaching programme, taking CEF into consideration, at the Preparatory Programme at the School of Foreign Languages, Izmir University of Economics, and also to evaluate the effectiveness of the programme. 236 Freshman students and 48 faculty members from 5 different faculties participated in the study. The results indicated a significant relationship between students’ proficiency scores and perception of their own competencies and a significant difference in perception of their own competence in terms of levels at the preparatory program. Although faculty members stated that Preparatory Program, in general, meets the needs of the students, students still have difficulty in practising some tasks requiring higher order thinking skills. The study suggests a series of learner training sessions to raise the awareness of the students, extending duration of the modules, reviewing the order of objectives in Intermediate and Upper-Intermediate, and working in cooperation with Faculties in order to increase awareness of mutual expectations

The Impact of a Curricular Innovation on Prospective EFL Teachers' Attitudes towards ICT Integration into Language Instruction.

Abstract: This paper investigates whether the new EFL teacher training curriculum provides an efficient ICT training or not through both a quantitative and a partially qualitative research methodology. One hundred twenty- four prospective EFL teachers participated in this study and the results of a series of Independent Samples T-tests highlight that the prospective teachers having five ICT-related courses displayed better attitudes in comparison to those not completing this training period by reflecting that the success of technology integration into education varies from curriculum to curriculum, depending on the ways in which it is applied. In this study, parametric analysis such as Independent samples t-Test was utilized to explore any statistically significant differences between prospective EFL teachers’ ICT attitudes before and after ICT-interwoven training. Moreover, the qualitative information was analyzed from the transcriptions of the interviews, and synthesized with the results from the quantitative study. A questionnaire made up of nine items and an interview consisting of nine questions were employed as data collection tools.

Secondary Physical Education Avoidance and Gender: Problems and Antidotes.

Abstract: Our goal was to locate and evaluate the barriers that impact and cause females to avoid secondary elective physical education courses. We sought to find answers to stop the further decline of female enrolment in secondary physical education by looking into curricula, program and instructional variables. Anecdotal evidence informed this study which was very much exploratory, building upon several key facts. First, Ontario (Canada) secondary students are only required to take one credit (course) in physical education in order to graduate and second, most students take the required physical education course in grade nine which is their first year of high school. Following this there is an average of 10% fewer females in every physical education class in the province of Ontario and only an average of 12% are enrolled in physical education each year. Several issues were identified and explored including self-confidence; motivation; perceived value of physical activity; opportunities for physical activity; marking scheme; competition; co-ed classes; teaching approach; and peers as possible problems and solutions.

Instruction, Curriculum and Society: Iterations Based on the Ideas of William Doll.

Abstract: This paper explores the relationship between society and school from the point of view of chaos theory with the purpose to understand the deficiencies in teacher education programs and to offer suggestions for their improvement. Based on the ideas of the postmodern curriculum theorist William Doll, it examines the paradigm shifts of world views from pre-modern to post-modern times and their implications for education. The methodology is theoretical analysis. The findings will show that classrooms are fractal in nature and reflect the society of which they are a part. Therefore, it is necessary to understand that the function of school goes beyond passing generations along or changing society. Today’s schools must bridge the gap between a modernist education system and a post-modern, globalized knowledge society. The paper concludes with examples that use those findings to improve the praxis of pre-service teacher education.

Evaluation of language and literature skills of secondary school students in turkey according to international baccalaureate diploma program criteria

Abstract: In this study, evaluation criteria for the teaching of language and literature used in Turkey and in the world was discussed; language and literature skills of Turkish students who came to the final stage of the secondary education were evaluated according to International Baccalaureate Diploma Program -IBDP- Turkish A1 course criteria. Related literature was examined in order to determine national and international criteria used in teaching of language and literature. 43 participant study group which were taken from 4 th grade of high schools was created to evaluate written and oral expression skills of students gained from Turkish language and literature according to international criteria. The working group has been obtained to provide the maximum variety sample. Two written and one oral exam questions in accordance with Turkish A1 course evaluating criteria were asked to the study group, answers papers were evaluated by three expert by using document analysis technique of qualitative research method. According to the research results, it has been observed that teachers do not use common criteria in evaluating language and literature teaching. 12 th grade students’ language and expression skills are between 5-6 from 10 points according to international criteria; however language and expression skills of girl students are better than boy students and oral expression skills of students are better than written skills in general according to international criteria. Also, it has been found that students make their comments without relying on literary works.

Investigating the Levels of Strain, from the Point of Various Variables, at Their Efforts of Obtain Information of Preservice Teachers' of Secondary Education.

Abstract: The aim of this study is investigating the Levels of Strain, From the Point of Various Variables (according to gender, branch, working at a job which provides financial gain, the reason to prefer the teaching profession, the number of digests of related field which have been followed, the frequency of weekly using internet, the aim of using internet, the frequency of weekly utilization from a library at studies related with branch, and the number of read books monthly) , at Their Efforts of Obtain Information of Preservice Teachers’ of Secondary Education. Study carried out by general screening model and data has been collected by content validity and reliability has been through a survey. The opinions of 115 teachers were included in the study. The scale developed by the researcher used in the research. Cronbach Alpha reliability coefficient of the scale has been determined as .968. The value of the normal distribution of the data set as 6.57. Preservice teachers’ in their efforts to obtain information, the information needed to identify, access to information, assessment, use and in this process to consider the ethical and legal values of stages have been forced from time to time. Preservice teachers’ views on the strain level did not vary according to personal characteristics. Preservice teachers in the social field to learn to work less hard than Preservice teachers in the fields of science and mathematics. Study skills and habits of the prospective teachers to learn to be scraped in pre-service education and in-service training of vocational qualifications to support this have been proposed.