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Significant Factors in College Students\u27 Motivation and Learning Strategies in English Courses in Taiwan
No full textThe purpose of this study was to investigate what factors were significant in students’ motivation and identify effective learning strategies used while participating in English courses at one private university in southern Taiwan. A mixed methodology was developed for the purpose of this research. In the quantitative phase, the Motivated Strategies for Learning Questionnaire (MSLQ) was utilized to survey 1,300 students who participated in English courses at one private university in southern Taiwan. 1,280 surveys were returned (98.46%), of which 1,254 were valid (96.46%). The quantitative data analysis included frequencies, percentages, mean scores, Pearson product-moment correlation, independent-samples t-tests, and one-way ANOVAs with post hoc tests by using SPSS 13.0 for Windows with the significant level of .05. In the qualitative phase, the researcher probed further by interviewing 7 students. They were identified as successful learners based on the last demographic item which indicated they passed the school’s English graduation requirement. The qualitative data findings resulted from the observations and dialogic interviews with the participants. The quantitative results showed a correlation between students’ motivation and learning strategies. In particular, self-efficacy for learning and performance and metacognitive self-regulation had the most significant relationship (r= .683). Additionally, significant differences were found in students’ motivational orientations and learning strategies in relation to the demographic groups. Notably, studying time was the most determinant demographic variable to affect students’ motivation and learning strategies while they participated in English courses. The more time students spent studying English, the more motivation they had and the more learning strategies they used to study English. The researcher integrated the qualitative data and presented 16 themes which were predetermined by the interview protocol. The qualitative findings supported the quantitative results and indicated that students with higher self-efficacy for learning and performance were motivated to learn English intrinsically. They also perceived more importance of English and used more cognitive and metacognitive learning strategies to regulate and assist their learning. The qualitative findings further showed that English teachers played a crucial role in affecting students’ motivation and learning strategies to learn English
Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) for Promoting Change: A Case Study in Tanzania
No full textThe study was an investigation about the impact of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) on the lives of members of a women’s group in East Africa. It focused on the consequences of the collaboration, facilitated by computer-mediated- communication, between the Women’s Global Connection (WGC) of the U.S. and the Saint Cecilia Women’s Group (SCWG) in Bukoba, Tanzania. To explore the effects o f the relationship between the groups, two field trips were made to the community. Semi-structured interviews and observations were conducted. Relevant documents, e-mail exchanges, and the contents o f an international web-based Cross- Cultural Leadership Development Program (CCLDP) were studied as well. Analyses of the field data, information from the interactions between the women, and exposure to cross-cultural knowledge revealed that the members of the SCWG had experienced some positive changes, including the realization of their own empowerment. Questions related to the extent to which these new factors influenced the African women’s lives, and how exactly the relationships through the CCLDP with women from other countries affected the SCWG members, are ongoing
Application of Polymerase Chain Reaction to Screen Rodents from New Mexico, Texas, Bolivia, and Nicaragua for Leishmania and an Assessment of the Specificity of Primers
Get PDFPolymerase chain reaction was used to screen rodents from four regions for Leishmania and to screen isolates of L. enriettii and L. hertigi using L. mexicana complex primers and L. (Viannia) primers to examine the specificity of these primers. Twenty-five rodent specimens from Bolivia, 42 from Nicaragua, 84 from New Mexico, and 74 from Texas were tested for Leishmania. Two Oryzomys acritus and two Oryzomys nitidus from Bolivia and one Neotoma micropus from Texas tested positive for Leishmania and additionally tested positive with L. mexicana complex-specific primers. Isolates of L enriettii and L hertigi reacted with L mexicana complex primers and did not react with primers specific to the subgenus Viannia. Leishmania hertigi and L. enriettii were positive and negative, respectively, using primers specific to the genus Leishmania
The Effect of Leadership and Entrepreneurial Orientation of Small and Medium Enterprises on Business Performance in Taiwan
No full textThe study was designed to examine how leadership can affect the development and implementation of entrepreneurial orientation in SMEs in Taiwan. It also was designed to examine the effects of entrepreneurial orientation, leadership styles, and outcomes of leadership on business performance. Leadership and entrepreneurship are critical concepts in academic research. Different leadership styles affect effectiveness and performance; entrepreneurial orientation is a significant concept in entrepreneurship literature. This study sought to examine how leadership can affect the development and implementation of entrepreneurial orientation in small and medium enterprises in Taiwan. It also was designed to examine the effects of entrepreneurial orientation, leadership styles, and outcomes of leadership on business performance. The researcher used the Multifactor Leadership Questionnaire (Bass & Avolio, 1995) to measure top-level managers’ transformational leadership, transactional leadership, passive-avoidant leadership, and outcomes of leadership. The researcher used the Entrepreneurial Orientation Questionnaire (Covin & Slevin, 1989) to measure entrepreneurial orientation of SMEs in Taiwan. This study also utilized self-reported measures of business performance including growth and financial performance. A total of 423 usable surveys were returned. These responses were examined for accuracy of data entry, non-response bias, missing values, reliability, and validity; 406 were used for analysis. The nine variables used in the analyses did not violate the assumption of normality. Significant conclusions from this study were that different leadership styles may affect business performance; that transformational leadership is more strongly correlated with higher entrepreneurial orientation, higher outcomes of leadership, and higher business performance than transactional leadership or passive-avoidant leadership; that small and medium enterprises with higher levels of entrepreneurial orientation have higher business performance; and that transformational leadership with higher entrepreneurial orientation can contribute to higher business performance
A Study of University Teachers\u27 Leadership Style and Students\u27 Motivation in Taiwan Foreign Language Education
No full textThis study explored the relationship between teachers’ leadership style and students’ motivation in second foreign language education at colleges and universities of southern Taiwan. Since Taiwan became a member of the World Trade Organization (WTO) in 2002, foreign language learning has been greatly emphasized in higher education because of the increasing opportunities for global connection. Both traditional and skill-orientated educational institutions in Taiwan’s higher education make efforts to enhance students’ foreign language ability with various learning projects. In addition to English, the other foreign languages (Japanese, French, Spanish, German) are offered at colleges and universities as second foreign languages. A quantitative research approach was applied for this study with two instruments—the Chinese version of Multifactor Leadership Questionnaire 5X Short (Lin, 2003) and the Chinese version of mini-Attitude/Motivation Test Battery (Gardner & MacIntyre, 1993a). The researcher adopted a random cluster sampling method to determine the participants for this study. There were 32 teachers and 765 students from elementary second foreign language courses (Japanese, French, Spanish, German) in 15 schools participating in this study. The results indicated a correlation between teachers’ leadership and students’ motivation for learning a second foreign language in Taiwan higher education. A perception gap was found between teachers and students toward teachers’ leadership behavior and outcomes. The teachers reported higher transformational leadership and leadership outcomes than their students. In the three leadership styles —transformational leadership, transactional leadership, and laissez-faire leadership— perceived transactional leadership was reported with the highest scores by students. Based on the data obtained from students’ responses to the MLQ-5X Short, significant differences were found in perceived teachers’ leadership styles and the MLQ factors among students’ demographic groups. Female students reported stronger transformational leadership of teachers than did male students. Freshmen reported stronger transformational leadership of teachers than did senior students. In addition, the results showed high motivation levels for students learning a second foreign language. The significant differences were found among students’ demographic groups in the attitudes toward the learning situation and instrumental orientation. For attitudes toward the learning situation, senior students reported the highest scores while freshmen reported the lowest. Students in Japanese courses reported the highest scores for instrumental orientation among the foreign language courses
WHO DO YOU SAY THAT I AM?: THE JESUS QUESTION AT CATHOLIC UNIVERSITIES AND COLLEGES
Get PDFThe question concerning the identity and message of Jesus of Nazareth is fundamentally important for Catholic universities and colleges. This has always been true, but today\u27s pluralistic and ecumenical setting presses us to think in new ways. This essay draws attention to two types of Christologies, one Fom above and one .fom below, that have been a part of the Christian tradition and examines their viability in contemporary Christian faith-based education. In conclusion. it is argued that a Christology from Below, which rejects theological claims concerning the divine identity of Jesus as a starting point in favor of beginning with the fullness of his humanity, is better suited for Catholic universities. Such an approach to understanding the identity and message of Jesus preserves the interrogative value of the incarnation. has a more universal appeal, helps articulate a true humanism and is most relevant to the generation coming of age
TEACHING ACCOUNTING ETHICS AT UIW AN INTROSPECTIVE COMMENT ARY ON THE SCHOLARSHIP OF TEACHING AND APPLICATION
Get PDFWe should be teaching ethics to our business accounting students, and the appropriate ethics course is approved by the Texas State Board of Public Accountancy, and includes ethical reasoning, integrity, objectivity, independence, and other core values. This paper examines the genesis of the course ACCT -1318. Ethics for Accounting and Business. currently offered in !he H-E-B School of Business and Administralion accounting curriculum. Can ethics be taught? The weltanschauungs (world-views) of some students can be changed. The thrust of the course is for students to develop systematic and rational processes for identification of stakeholders, identification of operational issues presented in cases, and identification of alternative courses of action to evaluate in terms of ethical thought. Students read parts of Catholic doctrine and write precis of parts of the Pastoral Letter on Catholic Social Teaching (I 986). In addition to the case analyses students write two essays early iri the course describing the structure, process and purposes of an essay, and the systematic and rational process they intend to use for case analysis. The course has received peer review approval from the Texas State Board of Public Accountancy, and is designed to acquaint accounting students with the .fundamentals of the Code of Professional Conduct of the accounting profession. The course uses the case method in a seminar classes to develop students\u27 skills in writing, analysis, and critical thinking. Students look past their preconceived notions of right and wrong, examine the consequences of actions in light of the major concepts of ethical thought. and conduct ethical reasoning
Perceptions of CEO Leadership Style and Professional Work Autonomy of Subordinates in Taiwanese Investment Companies
No full textThis research investigated the relationship between the perceptions of CEO leadership style and professional work autonomy of 356 subordinates in 37 Taiwanese investment companies. The foreign investment companies overwhelmingly penetrated Taiwanese investment market after Taiwan joined the World Trade Organization. However, foreign investment companies faced Taiwanese cultural differentiation and an unfamiliar market. Attracting and retaining professionals are critical issues for organizational efficacy in knowledge-intensive companies. Organizational efficacy is closely connected to appropriate application of leadership. Hence, the leaders of Taiwanese investment companies must recognize the significance of leadership to attract and retain professionals during this transition time. This research investigated the relationship between the perceptions of CEO leadership style and professional work autonomy of 356 subordinates in 37 Taiwanese investment companies. Various demographic factors were also examined for their relationships with the dependent variable of this research. Two survey instruments were used: the President Leadership Behavior Questionnaire (PLBQ) and Work Autonomy Scales (WAS). Because the PLBQ was modified, a pilot test of 43 conveniently selected subjects was conducted to ensure it was clear to interviewees; Cronbach’s alpha was used to verify reliability. To measure overall data quality, composite reliability, and convergent and discriminant validities were reported. Descriptive statistics: means, standard deviations, frequencies and percentages, and inferential statistics: LISREL, one-way ANOVAs, Scheffe tests, and t-test, with a significance level of 0.05 were included for data analyses. Initiating structure behavior resulted in low work autonomy. High consideration and high initiating structure led to the highest empowerment in work autonomy, while low consideration and low initiating structure connected to the lowest empowerment. Gender, level of education, and marital status influenced work autonomy. Competitive pressure has caused more professional demand to replace consideration of age and tenure. Initiating structure behavior may accompany dissatisfaction, and hamper development of clan control. Stereotypes based on gender and marital status may lead to dissatisfaction as well. An ideal leader of a Taiwanese investment company could exert high initiating structure and high consideration behaviors to create organizational efficacy; empowering followers in a learning organization helps them achieve organizational goals in a dynamic environment for organizational development
Perceived Leadership Styles of Coaches and the Levels of Satisfaction and Performance of Elite Female Gymnasts in Taiwan
No full textThis study investigated the perceived leadership styles of gymnastic coaches and the reported levels of satisfaction and performance of the athletes who play for them. These gymnast participants are female gymnasts competing in the National Taiwan Gymnastic Competition. The coaches were those who coached elite female gymnasts for the National Taiwan Gymnastic Competition. Sixteen coaches and 125 athletes completed the surveys. The Multifactor Leadership Questionnaire Short Form 5X was used to assess the coaches’ leadership styles and athletes’ satisfaction. An independent samples t test was used to measure the association between the perceived leadership styles of coaches and the level of satisfaction of the athletes who play for them. This research found that there is a statistically significant difference between age group of athletes and their levels of satisfaction. One-way repeated measures ANOVA measures the assessment of differences in perceptions of Transformational and Transactional Leadership based on athletes’ educational level. This examination showed there is no significant difference in this value measured by the athletes with different educational level
The Exploration of the Relationship Between Taiwanese Executive Leadership Style and Knowledge Management Practice in Mainland China
No full textThis research investigated the possible relationship between leadership style and the practice of knowledge management by Taiwanese executives in high-tech companies in the Kun-Shan area of China. This study used a quantitative research methodology. The Leader Behavior Description Questionnaire (LBDQ) was utilized to measure executives’ leadership styles and the State of Knowledge Management: An Assessment Questionnaire was used to measure executives’ practices of knowledge management. Four types of executives’ leadership styles were constructed according to different combinations of consideration behavior and initiating structure behavior (telling, selling, participating, and delegating). Demographics included gender, age, title, level of education, years with the present company, years of leadership with the present company, and years of total leadership with all companies. Data analysis included descriptive and inferential statistical techniques such as means, frequencies, percentages, Cronbach alpha, standard deviations, Pearson product-moment correlation coefficient, regression, one-way ANOVA, two-way ANOVA, and S-N-K test. The results showed that there were significant positive correlations between executives’ leadership styles and knowledge management practices, and between executives’ leadership styles and demographics. Moreover, there were significant mean differences in the selling leadership style and executives’ title, age, years of leadership in the company, and years of leadership in all companies. The significant mean differences existed in different leadership styles and practices of knowledge management. Besides, selling leadership style related to high use of knowledge management. Executives’ leadership styles affected the practices of knowledge management as well as the Taiwanese economic system