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Examining the relationship between student satisfaction and academic performance: A mixed-method approach
No full textAbstract
The purpose of this paper is to examine the relationship between student satisfaction and academic performance within the context of higher education. A mixed-method approach was utilized to fully answer the research question. Fifteen semi-structured interviews were conducted, followed by a survey of 616 full time students, to add breadth and depth to the analysis. Findings suggest there is a marginally significant relationship between student satisfaction and academic performance. Furthermore, statistically significant differences were identified in terms of student satisfaction with regard to gender.
Keywords: student satisfaction, academic performance, mixed method, higher educatio
Using games and scenarios as active learning tools in multicultural environments
No full textAbstract
Keeping students engaged in a multicultural class setting is one of the most challenging problems for educators. Educators need to shape the learning culture to match the students' interest and learning styles. They need to facilitate the learning process to actively involve students in the learning tasks and enable them to achieve in-depth learning, which could be harder to achieve by applying the traditional lecture style.
We proposed that we might be able to solve this problem by introducing an experimental learning environment to the Project Management curriculum through game-based and scenario-based learning, in which students can perform as project managers without facing the risks associated with an unsuccessful project in real life. In addition, it could better engage students in the learning process and increase their academic performance. To verify our assumption, we conducted a small preliminary evaluation to compare the outcomes of learning Task Management concepts using a game approach and different scenarios for two different groups of students. The level of students' engagement and interest is discussed based on their multicultural exposure background.
Key words: Multicultural classrooms, game learning, experimental learning
The myth of the mission
No full textAbstract
In management text books and teaching in Business Schools Vision and Mission are shown as pre-requisites for determining Objectives, Strategy and Tactics (VMOST). From a survey of Management staff from 500 organisations (worldwide), it was found Vision and Mission statements in 80% of organisations are not considered in tactical planning and day-to-day operations management. The reason is that few, if any, organisations publish Mission Statements that reflect reality. In general, they are myths which might give senior management a nice warm feeling, but for middle management and below they are no more meaningful than the tooth fairy.
The word Vision suggests almost a mystical occurrence (Joan of Arc), or an ideal (such as expressed by Martin Luther King, "I have a dream"). Likewise most religions began with somebody having a Vision. If the Visionary had enough charisma, missionaries would be sent out with the Mission of converting the unbelievers to the "true faith" as envisioned by the Visionary.
The same connotation is found when looking at a Vision in the organisational context. It is said that a leader with a Vision is a leader with a passion for an ideal. Nanus (1992, p. 8) says that "the right vision is so energising that it in effect jump starts the future by calling forth the skill, talents, and resources to make it happen." El-Namaki (1992, p. 25) also stresses 'future reality'. In this, he follows Polak (1961) who says that Vision is where tomorrow begins, for it expresses what you and others who share the same Vision will be working hard to create. Polak uses great visionaries such as Moses, Plato, and Karl Marx to illustrate his point. "Themselves under the influence of what they had envisioned, they transformed the non-existent into the existent, and shattered the reality of their own time with their imaginary images of the future. Thus the future always operates in the present, shaping itself in advance through these image makers and their images" (Polak, 1961, p. 124). Polak defines Vision as a "concept for a new and desirable future reality that can be communicated throughout the organisation" (p. 124). But unless the Vision can happen, it will be nothing more than a dream. As Langeler (1992, p. 46) observes, 'Grand, abstract visions may be too inspirational. The company may wind up making more poetry than product.' Stacey (1993, p. 234) adds that "The ultimate test of a vision is if it happens.' The survey found that 90% of Vision and Mission statements focus on customer service, provision of world-class quality and in many cases to be an employer of choice. All of this would be fine if management published Visions and Missions that actually happened. The finding of the survey is that the true Vision and Mission is to be the biggest and to have high profit returns. The paper concludes with a change model using a true mission statement based on customer satisfaction to achieve world-class performance.
Key Words: vision, mission, culture, change, world-clas
Hospitality undergraduate degrees: Practical versus theory - a comparative Australasian multicultural perspective
No full textAbstract
There are a number of hospitality undergraduate degrees delivered in New Zealand and Australia, within multi-cultural environments. This paper presents findings based on whether these current programmes deliver practical or applied elements as part of their curriculum, or are fully theoretically based in relation to a number of stakeholder expectations. A comparative quantitative approach was utilised through extracting data from provider websites, with limitations based on reliability of content. The research suggests that even though there may be more of an expectation of a liberal education focus on conceptual and theoretical treatments of disciplines relating to the hospitality management field by accrediting bodies, the fact remains that the majority of providers still deliver applied or vocationally aligned content within programmes, influenced by the expectations of a global industry.
Keywords: Higher education, hospitality degree, hospitality industry, experiential learning, theory based learning, multi-cultural, globalisatio
A comparative study of self-actualisation and creativity among male and female high school students of Faizabad City, India
No full textDynamic Voltage Restorer for Distribution System
No full textPower quality is one of the major concerns in the present era. Out of various power quality issues, voltage sag is considered to be a frequently occurring phenomena that can be rectified by the use of custom power devices like Dynamic Voltage Restorer (DVR), which is the most efficient and effective modern custom power device used in power distribution networks. Its appeal includes lower cost, smaller size, and its fast dynamic response to the disturbance. In this paper, modelling, analysis and simulation of a high efficient Dynamic Voltage Restorer (DVR) was done in MATLAB. The efficiency of the DVR depends on the performance of the control technique involved in switching of the inverters. Hence different control technique like discrete PWM scheme using PI controller hysteresis current controller and hysteresis voltage controller were used. Based on the comparison between the performance of PI controller, hysteresis current controller and hysteresis voltage controller, in controlling the switching of PWM inverter switches, the optimum controller that improves the performance of Dynamic Voltage Restorer (DVR) is suggested
Economic Sustainability of Airlines in the South Pacific
No full textThis paper aims to determine a blue print for ensuring the economic sustainability of airlines of the South Pacific countries, lessen the financial burden to governments and
peoples of the region and yet deliver essential air services necessary for the economic well being of the region. Current costs of ownership and operation of small regional
airlines in small Pacific communities are high and in most cases not economically sustainable. The methodologies used were case studies, surveys of stakeholders; a
Delphi group session and analysis of best practice. The study concludes with a blue print for economic sustainability of the South Pacific airlines
Interactive weblogs: Breaking barriers in L2 writing in the Philippines
No full textAbstract
Mastery of the rules of a language is often clearly reflected in written outputs. In the Philippines, where English is a second language (L2), students are oftentimes reluctant to perform writing tasks as this will expose their ignorance in the skill. With the ubiquity of social networks in mind, this study sought to find out students' needs and motivations in writing, with weblogs used as learning journals in a virtual teaching and learning environment. The experimental method was employed in this research. A standardized writing test from Purdue University's Online Writing Lab (OWL) and TOEFL Writing test were used in gathering the data. Data were treated with statistical tools such as weighted mean, frequency count, standard deviation and t-test. Results revealed that the respondents from the experimental group and the control group can comprehend meaningful input but their knowledge of the rules governing sentence construction and the actual writing of the material (application) are the root cause of their difficulty in writing. The experimental group has been found to have improved their writing ability specifically in the knowledge and application dimensions, indicating that weblogs have generally made a huge difference in performance. Hence, it was recommended that weblogs be used in writing subjects to motivate the students to discover the joy of writing. In addition, further studies should also be done concerning how to best motivate students to explore the full potential of blogs as a learning aid
Is the world on the right track to achieving the millenium development goal of universal primary education and providing gender equality?
No full textAbstract
The article considers the extent to which the Millennium Development Goal (MDG) on achieving universal basic education is being achieved as we approach the target date of 2015 and the implications of this for the level of achievement of gender equality in terms of female access to basic and, the often considered equivalent, primary education. The two are not one and the same thing, but measurement is easier in terms of statistical availability of achievements in primary education, attendance, enrolment and other measures. The paper points out that there are severe difficulties with these statistics, not least issues of quality, rather than quantity of education, but they are the most often used as a first step to indicating achievement levels. The intent here is to determine how useful the degree of progress has been, rather than saying that less than 100% achievement represents the cut off between "success and failure".
Keywords: Millennium goal, primary education and gender inequality