Journal of Learning for Development - JL4D
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Rethinking Digital Technology versus Paper and Pencil in 3D Geometry
No full textRecognising the relevance of learning Geometry, and in particular 3D Geometry, this study aims to discuss the contributions that digital technology and paper and pencil approaches can bring to students’ learning. We seek, therefore, to identify the differences between the two approaches, and specifically: What factors are relevant in one and the other approach? What does one approach facilitate over the other? A quantitative and a qualitative and interpretive methodology was adopted, and based on a didactic intervention, the students' resolutions of the proposed tasks were analysed. The results obtained show that the experience and prior knowledge of the students with each of the solids involved seems to be decisive in the approach with paper and pencil. However, technology emerges as an enhancing resource when prior knowledge is more fragile. The study also shows differences between the representations supported by the two resources, suggesting the mobilisation of different knowledge by the students in relation to each of the resources.Recognising the relevance of learning Geometry, and in particular 3D Geometry, this study aims to discuss the contributions that digital technology and paper and pencil approaches can bring to students’ learning. We seek, therefore, to identify the differences between the two approaches, and specifically: What factors are relevant in one and the other approach? What does one approach facilitate over the other? A quantitative and a qualitative and interpretive methodology was adopted, and based on a didactic intervention, the students' resolutions of the proposed tasks were analysed. The results obtained show that the experience and prior knowledge of the students with each of the solids involved seems to be decisive in the approach with paper and pencil. However, technology emerges as an enhancing resource when prior knowledge is more fragile. The study also shows differences between the representations supported by the two resources, suggesting the mobilisation of different knowledge by the students in relation to each of the resources
Radical Solutions for Education in Africa: Open Education and Self-directed Learning in the Continent.
No full textThe discourse of educational philosophy has gradually shifted over years from pedagogy to andragogy to heutagogy. In pedagogy, what is learnt, and how, is both determined and directed by the teacher; in andragogy, it is determined by the teacher and directed by the learner; in heutagogy, both determination and direction shift to the learner (Blashke,Kenyon & Hase, 2014)[1]. This write up is a review of the publication entitled: Radical Solutions for Education in Africa: Open Education and Self-directed Learning in the Continent. The book under review explores the concept of self-directed learning (SDL) within the context of open education. It foregrounds open education as the preferred approach to addressing educational challenges in Africa, using technology and open education resources (OER). It also explores possibilities of enhancing SDL from different angles, like through online learning environments, through use of Open Education Resources (OER), and through professional and vocational education. The book makes a sound argument about developments that need to happen to leverage education and what needs to preoccupy the minds of educationists, policy makers and researchers in Africa. In this regard, the book only scratches the surface regarding approaches and tools that work to transform education in the content. This review strongly recommends that research that is more targeted at specific aspects dealt with in the book should be conducted in order to establish their efficacy in bringing about educational transformation in the different contexts in Africa.
[1]Blashke, L.M., Kenyon, C. & Hase, S. (2014). Experiences in self-determined learning. New York: Amazon.  
Students' Perception about the Use of an Educational Web Application During the COVID-19 Pandemic
No full textSARS-CoV-2 virus has caused universities to update their courses in the distance modality. The general aim of this mixed research was to build and analyse the use of a web application for the educational process about the t-test considering data science. In particular, the professor of the Teaching of Mathematics II course needed to update the school activities because of the new educational demands caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. To facilitate the educational process of math, this teacher decided to build a web application that presents the formulas and calculation of the mean, standard deviation and statistical error to understand the use of the t-test. This technological tool allows the personalisation of learning through the simulation of data. The participants were 42 students from a Mexican university. The results of machine learning indicated that the contents of the web application positively influenced the assimilation of knowledge, satisfaction during the learning process, development of mathematical skills and learning in the distance modality. The decision tree technique allows the construction of four (4) predictive models about the use of the web application for the educational process about the t-test. Finally, educators have the opportunity to improve the teaching-learning conditions during the SARS-CoV-2 virus through the design and construction of web applications
From Modernisation, Dependency and Soft Power Toward a Commonwealth of Learning
No full textThis article reflects on some influential theories, concepts and institutions that have shaped the nature and substance of international development since the mid-20th century. In particular, theories of modernisation and dependency are deployed to reflect on the ways in which the International Financial Institutions, such as, the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank have adopted a ‘Washington Consensus’ concerning the social and economic development of ‘developing’ nations. ‘Soft power’ national agencies, such as, the British Council and USAID are brought into consideration, especially, for their interests and influences over matters of learning for development. The multi-national Commonwealth of Learning’s particular contribution to learning for development is discussed with suggestions made for developing member nations’ capacities to produce new local knowledge and to bring their existing local knowledge to the fore to share as part of a (Lockean) ‘commonwealth of learning’
To Use or not Use Collaborative Learning Techniques in Teleconference Teaching? A Case Study from the Hellenic Open University
No full textThe purpose of the small-scale qualitative research study was to examine the use and perceived value of integrating collaborative learning techniques at teleconferences at the School of Humanities of the Hellenic Open University (HOU). Qualitative semi-structure interviews with tutors from the School of Humanities at the HOU were conducted in order for the research plan to be fundamentally heuristic and generate original results. Purposeful sampling was chosen for the data collection process, cross-sectional organization for the data classification and thematic analysis for the data analysis. The results of the present research study indicate the parameters need to be taken into account in order for the tutors to use collaborative learning techniques at teleconference teaching at HOU. Adequate teleconference platform, tutors’ training on distance collaborative learning and group dynamics, and a common understanding regarding distance learning and group dynamics in e-learning environments are some of the most significant findings derived from this research study. The role of students, as well as the role of the distance-learning provider, in integrating and adopting distance collaborative learning strategies is also highlighted by the results
The Perception of Educational Stakeholders on Utilization of E-learning Technology for Quality Instructional Delivery in Universities in Rivers State, Nigeria
No full textThe study was conducted in Rivers State, South-South, Nigeria. Descriptive survey design was adopted for the study, which comprised 168 subjects (44 lecturers and 124 students). Two research questions were posed by the researchers to guide the study. The study used questionnaires to elicit information from respondents. Mean and standard deviation were descriptive statistical tools used to answer the research questions. The findings of the study revealed, amongst others, that many universities in Nigeria lacked digital facilities for quality e-teaching and learning and, again, university lecturers and students required core digital skills for effective e-learning. Based on these findings, it was recommended, amongst others, that the Nigerian government, in collaboration with university authorities, should ensure adequate provision of ICT equipment and facilities in universities for quality e-teaching and learning. Furthermore, adequate ICT training programmes should be set up for the training of lecturers and students in digital technology in order to realise effective e-learning in the Nigerian university system
Factors Inhibiting Sports Lecturer’s Publication Productivity in International Journals
No full textScientific publication is an essential part of research dissemination, irrespective of the productivity effects on lecturers' careers. Therefore, this study aims to determine the internal and external factors inhibiting the productivity of sports lecturers' publication in international journals. This is qualitative descriptive research with a survey method and questionnaire used to collect data from 74 sports lecturers in Indonesia by using Google form. The data were further analyzed to reduce the number of the original variables using the factor analysis method with the validity tests includes KMO (Kaiser Meyer Olkin), Bartlett, and MSA (Measure of Sampling Adequacy) used for reliability. The results showed that the sports lecturer’s writing ability and cost are responsible for inhibiting publications' productivity in international journals as opposed to gender analysis. The majority had limited time to write because most of their activities were carried out in the field. Grants offered by both the government and universities are expected to be absorbed to support the sports lecturers' publication activities in Indonesia. Further studies need to be carried out by analyzing the college type, academic position, and age as considerations for stakeholders to take strategic steps to overcome publication challenges
When the Trainer is Untrained: Stakeholder Incapacitation in Implementation and Utilisation of Open Educational Resources in Kenya
No full textOpen Educational Resources (OER) are geared towards promoting accessibility to education and to help overcome certain constraints to education associated with traditional ways of learning. However, these OERs can only be successfully rolled out and utilised in environments already enjoying certain infrastructural empowerments, including teacher-preparedness, availability of equipment to allow use of OERs and learner exposure and knowhow. This poses a major hurdle in many public and private schools in Kenya, which are in far-flung areas without electricity, mobile-phone connectivity, Internet services and serviceable roads that allow movement to a cyber cafe where Internet services may be accessed at a fee. These difficulties are encountered by both teachers and their learners. This paper seeks to discuss the challenges faced in implementation of OERs, especially by the teachers who are expected to sensitise learners to the availability and utilisation of OERs, while they themselves are either unaware of them, poorly trained to handle them or are under-facilitated to carry out their mandate. The study was carried out in Tharaka-Nithi County, Kenya. The county was chosen because challenges related to OER have been reported there. The county has 104 secondary schools. A sample size of 45 schools representing 20% of the respondents was considered sufficient for the study. A questionnaire was used to obtain data on the teachers’ ICT competencies, their awareness of and attitudes towards OER and the challenges they faced in the implementation of OER. The study found that utilisation of OER stands at about 3% as a result of ignorance regarding OER or a negative attitude towards them, poor ICT skills amongst the teachers and poor or inadequate resources within and around the schools
COVID-19 and Technology Enhanced Teaching in Higher Education in sub-Saharan Africa: A Case of the University of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
No full textThis article aims to share an experience on the process taken by the University of Dar es Salaam to adopt and deliver technology-enhanced teaching and learning during the COVID-19 crisis. The university started by forming a team which conducted an audit to identify existing ICT infrastructure, skills gaps amongst instructors, and information systems that could be quickly adopted to deliver various courses during the COVID-19 crisis. The Moodle system, Zoom video conferencing system, and Postgraduate Information Management System were identified and recommended. After the audit, 340 instructors were trained on identified systems and 369 new courses were developed. Although face-to-face classes resumed a few months after the training and preparations, postgraduate courses continued to be offered via the blended mode with the Zoom and Moodle systems being used. The experience gathered from this study contributes towards knowledge of ICT integration in teaching and learning and can be integrated into teaching during the COVID-19 crisis in resource-constrained universities in sub-Saharan Africa and beyond