Research in Social Sciences and Technology (E-Journals)
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Information and Communication Technology in a Global World
Get PDFThis study takes its departure from ongoing debate about teachers’ (collective) “continuing professional development” (CPD). The overall aim is to highlight active teachers’ perceptions on developing a self-understanding of their complex role in daily practice by using digital tools. The following research questions guided the study: How can teachers make schools more relevant and engaging? How can students’ achievement increase? In what way can teachers provide high-quality education for all students? Three perspectives will be guiding the study: Information and Communication Technology (ICT), learning, and special education. The participants in the study are 21 staff members in preschool, primary school, and a recreation center with whom we conducted structured individual interviews and focus group discussions. Field notes were also taken during the interview and discussion sessions. The findings reveal the importance of the teachers’ deeper understanding of students’ creativity, critical thinking, communication, and collaboration. Furthermore, the most powerful thing teachers can do is to design engaging, meaningful, and authentic work and technology-enhanced learning experiences. In order to improve learning in a digital world, the teachers must be engaged and supported by professional learning opportunities to continually improve and strengthen their digital competencies and teaching practices. The theoretical standpoint is the norm model as an analytical tool to understand the teachers’ perceptions. The concept of “norm” is a collective term for the factors and structures that are regarded as a normal balance between the aspects of value/will, system conditions/possibilities, and cognition/knowledge.
 
Using Graphical organizers in the teaching process of ICT
Get PDFTo date, hundreds of advanced teaching methods have been developed, such as game methods, problem-based learning methods, and information and communication technologies are widely used in education. Most of these technologies are based on the principles of student-centred and participatory learning. These interactive methods allow the learner to master the necessary professional knowledge, skills and competencies under the managerial guidance of a teacher. In this article, the author would like to share her experience of using one of such techniques - graphic organizers - in teaching the subject of computer science and information technologies. The graphic organizers as supportive tools for teaching and learning, their use and types are described. Examples of graphic organizers for learning IT and Information security, drawn using IT, are given
Learning with simulations: Influence of a computer simulation with hand- on activities on students' learning of the physics capacitors' concepts
Get PDFThe persistence of this study was to investigate the contribution of a computer simulation to students' learning of physics concepts (charging and discharging of capacitors). Interactive computer simulation (Crocodile simulation) was used to spread over the aim of this study. This attempt assesses the progress in understanding the concepts by grade 11 Scientific section after four complete periods (200 minutes) in two different situations: 1- using only a computer simulation; 2-using computer simulation with hands-on activities. The progress was measured through post-test. The results of both descriptive and inferential statistics show that the learners' understanding of capacitors' concepts that can be enhanced and were highly achieved when learners used the computer simulation combined with hands- on activities. The use of Hands-on activities was identified as the cause of this differentiation
The phenomenon of cyberbullying in the children and adolescents population: A scientometric analysis
Get PDFCyberbullying has become a global problem; cases of violence increase and the rate of suicide by victims has skyrocketed. The purpose of this work was to analyze the scientific production published on cyberbullying in children and adolescents from its beginning until 2018. To this end, a scientific analysis was carried out in the Scopus database, determining diachronic productivity, journals, countries, and institutions with the greatest interest in the subject and articles with greater scientific impact due to the number of citations. In addition, a network map was established to highlight keywords related to cyberbullying in both populations. Among the results, it is worth noting the increase in publications in 2018 and the configuration of certain journals, institutions, countries, and authors as references in the subject. Finally, potential explanations for the findings of the study and suggestions for future research are discussed
Critiquing a Qualitative Study Using Tracy’s Big-tent Criteria
Get PDFThis paper critiques an article, which sheds light on the internationalisation of the curriculum. When classified within the main Western paradigms: positivism, interpretivism, critical theory and postmodernism, her article can be within the interpretivism. These paradigms are highlighted in this paper to engage the reader in critical reflection and to emphasise the differences between these paradigms. Big-tent markers, which are applied to evaluate the quality of qualitative research, are then critically implemented to highlight the strengths and weaknesses of that article in line with providing relevant suggestions
Technologies and environmental education: A beneficial relationship
Get PDFEducational technologies have an important role in education today. They represent a relevant resource in the process between theorizing and educational practices, and they are essential in the awareness process for sustainability. Thus, technological education appears as a facilitator in this process, especially with students, parents, and everyone around us, as being supported by tech resources to produce an efficient effect. This study was performed at Escola Municipal de Ensino Fundamental in Alagoinha-Paraíba, Brazil, between January and February, 2019; the research question is: Are teachers using and recognizing technology as a partner in the environmental awareness process? The main objective is to analyze the usage of tech in the process for environmental awareness by teachers. The specific objectives are: to check the usage of technological education in the environmental awareness process, to comprehend the challenges faced by the teachers in the process of technological usage on the scope of environmental education, to identify the activities developed by the teachers involving tech and environmental education, and to perceive the educational practices. A total of 22 teachers responded to the questions. Data collection was made on a Likert scale using the qualitative method and descriptive research. The Likert scale was validated on its construction with analysis factor. Therefore, it was found that the teachers use the tech resources in their classes, through the environmental awareness, besides defending the educational projects and realizing interdisciplinary works about environmental education for environmental conservation
Modeling and Simulation in an Educational Context: Teaching and Learning Sciences
Get PDFIn science education, there is a need to evaluate the behavior of dynamic systems. Representing and explaining processes through educational models or simulations enables students to perform activities where it is easier to understand these processes and discover the essential properties of a system. Performing modeling or simulation activities that promote interpretation and understanding of systems are learning activities in which students have the ability to create and test their own perceptions of a given phenomenon. Although such activities enhance the development of skills such as reflection, decision making, creativity and generalization, the use of these activities in educational contexts is very sporadic. The difficulties teachers experience in using this type of activity relate to the types of models that are usually used to represent a system, the specificities needed to represent them, the degree of complexity of modeling and simulation tools to do so, and the lack of preparedness to implement practical research activities. In this research, we present the Modeling for Kids methodology to support the development of georeferenced multisensory modeling and simulation activities for the first cycle of Basic Education. This methodology lists a set of norms that aim to advise the teacher and the student in the accomplishment of these activities. The methodology identifies the strategies, contexts of use, and curriculum areas where these activities can be inserted. It also identifies the processes of analysis and representation of dynamic systems. Due to the importance and advantages of georeferenced multisensory information in learning, the methodology also prescribes that teachers and students use this type of information in modeling and simulation activities
Teachers’ Perceptions on Using Smartphones in English as a Foreign Language Context
No full textThis study explored the perceptions of English as a foreign language (EFL) teachers at a foundation year in a university in Saudi Arabia. 41 male (27) and female (14) teachers completed a survey using Google Forms. The results indicated that the majority of teachers (83%) supported the integration of smartphones in EFL context, as 71% believe that smartphones would enhance students’ EFL learning. 72% reported that they used smartphones for university-related work. Sending and receiving emails, accessing the internet, and using educational applications were the most reported beneficial features whereas scanning/creating QR codes, using calculator, playing games, and playing a podcast were the least reported. 79 % believed that smartphones would have instructional benefits for the learners such as access to technology, motivation, creativity English language learning opportunities, and variation in instruction whereas 58 % did not see any barriers in the use of smartphones in EFL context. That smartphones may distract students’ attention was the only reported barrier. Recommendations and impactions for further research and applications were suggested
How Multimedia Support Collaborative Research: Best Practices
Get PDFThe purpose of this article is to evaluate the potential for online multimedia materials as alternative learning tools for the collaborative training of teachers in the design of research-based teaching. A case study using a team of three trainee teachers was used to develop a process of initial training in the design of a constructivist and research-based teaching unit supported by online multimedia material. The results obtained from the research allowed some principles to be identified and basic recommendations and alternative lines of action to be given for designing online multimedia materials. Online multimedia materials can be alternative teaching tools that contribute, with other materials, to the development of constructivist, collaborative, and research-based strategies which help provide the necessary support for improving the initial and ongoing training of new teachers in the design of teaching from a research perspective
Sociodemographic factors influencing smartphone addiction in university students
Get PDFThe development of mobile devices has affected the way of life of university students, affecting their daily habits and sometimes their health. Specifically, in recent years a series of illnesses have developed as a result of the constant use of smartphones by the university population, which has come to be catalogued as an at-risk population. The aim of this work was to analyze the sociodemographic factors that influence the smartphone addiction of university students. For the measurement of the levels of addiction, the standardized instrument Smartphone Addiction Scale was used in a sample of 385 students from the University of Granada, Spain. A multiple linear regression model was used as a statistical test, highlighting that the factor influencing smartphone addiction is the time of use. Finally, the study includes a series of implications derived from the results obtained, with the aim of establishing preventive measures to help to mitigate smartphone addiction