Blended Strategy Research Articles

Enhancement of helping skills using videos and blended learning in social and health care education

ABSTRACT Students in social and health care education often encounter difficulties translating the concepts in communication into the complexities of interpersonal dynamics and diversified contexts in practicums. Most previous resources were developed in English, and some Chinese materials were not up to date. In this project, social work teachers produced two sets of videos and initiated coursework revamping by engaging students in producing more communication skills videos. An e-learning community has been set up for the storage of teacher’s demonstration videos and quality student videos. The video was applied in skill practice courses and disseminated to social work practicum supervisors and students during the pandemic, as their face-to-face learning opportunities were restricted. Students reported improvements in levels of skills and competence after watching the videos. It shows that videos on communication skills can be further promoted as a blended learning strategy in professional practice training.

The Learning Hub – Empowering Remote Rural Communities across India through Blended Learning

This case study explores The Learning Hub, an initiative of the Aga Khan Foundation (AKF), which hosts, among many other learning assets, a three-strand learning programme to enhance the quality of life in rural India through innovative blended learning strategies. The programme, delivered by the Aga Khan Rural Support Programme India (AKRSPI), addresses critical issues such as water sanitation, sustainable agriculture, and governance by delivering courses through a combination of video-based online content and in-person facilitation. The study provides a brief analysis of AKF's blended learning approach, and its impact on community resilience, economic development, and social equity.

A Study on Career Aspiration and Their Effect on Work Values among Gen Z: A Contextual Investigation of Chennai City

This study investigates the profession yearnings and their effect on work values among Age Z in Chennai City. As this segment enters the labor force, their interesting points of view and needs are reshaping conventional vocation pathways and working environment assumptions. The exploration inspects key factors like self-awareness, instructive portion, and financial status, and what these factors mean for vocation desires and work values. Using a blended strategies approach, the review accumulates quantitative information through studies and subjective experiences by means of meetings with Gen Z people in Chennai. The discoveries uncover that vocation yearnings among Gen Z are essentially impacted by a longing for significant work, balance between fun and serious activities, and moral arrangement. Instructive assets and financial status additionally assume significant parts in molding these yearnings. Moreover, the review features the significance of self-awareness in improving position fulfillment. The outcomes give important experiences to instructors, policymakers, and businesses intending to adjust their systems to the developing profession and work upsides of Gen Z, subsequently encouraging a more spurred and connected with labor force.

Driving Digitalization: Action Research to Innovate Pronunciation Pedagogies by Building a Virtual Voice Laboratory

This paper explores the potential of digitalization in supporting English as a Second Language (ESL) students' development of pronunciation skills through a parallel action research. The author created a Virtual Voice Laboratory (VVL) platform to innovate pronunciation pedagogies in higher education; and simultaneously conducted an ongoing action research study to examine three research questions. The questions examined the efficacy of the VVL in facilitating blended learning, self-directed practice, and self-evaluation within a pronunciation course, and its impact on student engagement, participation, and pronunciation skill development. This VVL as a tailormade digital platform was implemented with undergraduate ESL students in Hong Kong's higher education context. It enabled blended learning, wherein students engaged with the mechanics and articulatory movements essential for improving English pronunciation through self-directed practice using the VVL. Adopting an action research methodology, the study investigated the process of implementing digitalization and blended learning strategies. This was achieved through the analysis of student recordings, sound chart comparisons, and qualitative-quantitative feedback collected during a pilot study. The findings reveal nuances of student experiences, their learning trajectories, and the results from the pilot study, illuminating the impacts and outcomes facilitated by the e-learning approach. The research holds valuable implications for integrating digitalization and blended learning in language education, contributing to the ongoing scholarly dialogue on the transformative potential of technology-mediated approaches in fostering dynamic and impactful learning experiences for diverse student populations.

Training needs for developing blended learning skills and strategies among Arabic language teachers in public schools

The study aimed to know the training needs for developing blended learning skills and strategies among Arabic language teachers in government schools. The researcher used the descriptive analytical approach. The study sample reached (265) male and female teachers of the Arabic language subject in government schools. To achieve the objectives of the study, the researcher prepared a questionnaire as a tool. The study consisted of (21) paragraphs. The study found that the training needs for developing blended learning skills and strategies among Arabic language teachers in government schools in Ma’an Governorate came in at a high level with an overall arithmetic average of (3.7775), as the results show that the paragraph: I provide students with some practical work through blended learning came in first place, where The arithmetic mean was (4.0852). The results also showed that there were no statistically significant differences between the responses of Arabic language teachers regarding the training needs for developing blended learning skills and strategies due to the gender variable, while there were statistically significant differences due to variables of academic qualification and years of experience. Based on these results, the study recommended the need for teachers to develop the skills of designing and implementing.

THE EFFECTIVENESS OF USING BLENDED LEARNING STRATEGY IN THE ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT BY SEVENTH-GRADE BASIC STUDENTS IN THE SUBJECT OF KURDISH LANGUAGE

The current study aims to identify the effectiveness of using the blended learning strategy in the academic achievement of seventh-grade students in the Kurdish language subject. The research sample consisted of (114) male and female students from the seventh grade in basic education schools for boys and girls in the city of Zakho for the academic year (2022-2023). It was chosen intentionally by stratified random method from the research community according to the gender variable, then the researcher divided the sample into four equal groups in several variables based on the factorial experimental design (2X2) in the variables of teaching method and gender. The two experimental groups studied the Kurdish language subject according to the blended learning strategy, while the two control groups studied the same subject traditionally. The researcher verified the validity of the content of the test and extracted its psychometric characteristics as well as its stability. After collecting data from the research sample and processing it statistically using the two-way factor analysis of variance test according to the variables of gender, teaching method, and the interaction between them, the results indicated: 1- There is a statistically significant difference at the level (0.05) between the averages of the Kurdish language achievement among the members of the research groups according to the gender variable in favor of females and the method in favor of the blended learning strategy. 2- There is no statistically significant difference at the level (0.05) between the averages of the members of the research groups in the achievement of the Kurdish language according to the interaction of the variables of gender and method. In light of the results, the researcher came out with several conclusions, including the possibility of applying the blended learning strategy in teaching the Kurdish language to students in basic education. The researcher also put forward some recommendations and proposals in the form of titles for future research.

Impact of Project-Based Learning (PBL) Integrated with Google Classroom on Improving English Writing Skills in a Bangladeshi University

Developing tertiary students’ writing skills is a crucial issue. Teachers integrate writing projects with Google Classroom to develop students’ writing skills, although the impact of this learning model has not yet been determined in the Bangladeshi higher education context. This research explored the impact of project-based learning (PBL), supported by Google Classroom, on developing the writing skills of tertiary students in Bangladesh. This quasi-experimental study analyzed essays written by 30 control- and 30 experimental-group students. Additionally, in-depth interviews were conducted with 10 students to collect data. A t test and thematic analysis were conducted for quantitative and qualitative data analysis, respectively. This quasi-experimental research used a pre-test/post-test and control group design. The experiment was implemented for the experimental group using PBL with Google Classroom and for the control group using the conventional teaching method. The pre-test results indicate no differences between the groups (t = 0.55, p > 0.05) in terms of writing proficiency before the intervention. Nevertheless, the post-test yielded a t value of 3.43 (p < 0.01), which was statistically significant in favor of the experimental group. This suggests the enhancement of students’ writing skills through PBL with Google Classroom. These results demonstrate the benefits of the combination of interactive activities and social interaction conducive to writing tasks provided by this blended learning strategy. The implications are that teachers can blend PBL with Google Classroom for more active learning environments that align with students with real-world writing tasks. Limitations involved a small sample size and study duration. Future work should target larger, more diverse samples and incorporate qualitative work to deepen understanding of the learning process and outcomes.

Effective blended learning instructional design strategies in medical education

With the rapid development of technology and societal change, a shift from traditional classroom instruction to more diverse educational methods in medical education is necessary. As an effective approach to providing flexibility and accessibility while maintaining the benefits of face-to-face interactions, blended learning, which integrates online and offline learning, has gained attention. This study examines the current status and best practices of the aforementioned blended learning, analyzes its application in domestic and international contexts, and derives effective instructional design strategies. A comprehensive review of previous research and empirical cases reveals a conceptual framework and core principles for designing such blended learning. Key considerations include strategic integration of online and offline activities, facilitation of self-directed learning and interaction, effective use of technology, and continuous quality improvement. Furthermore, we suggest contextually relevant strategies, such as designing curricula focused on clinical reasoning, providing iterative practice opportunities, enhancing reflection, and fostering future competencies. The case analysis establishes that blended learning is implemented in various forms across different medical schools and curricula. Common features include the linkage of online and offline learning, incorporation of learner-centered methods, and emphasis on practical competencies. However, the limited number of cases suggests that generalizations may be premature. Successful implementation requires multifaceted efforts, including gradual introduction, faculty support, flexible curricula, safety measures, and institutional support. Accumulating empirical research and evidence of their effectiveness can facilitate their wider dissemination. This study provides implications and future directions for innovative medical education using hybrid learning.

Women Entrepreneurship: Driving Economic Empowerment in Atmanirbhar Bharat

The impact of women entrepreneurship on economic development in the Delhi-NCR region of India is a pivotal area of study, reflecting broader socio-economic trends and challenges. This paper examines how women entrepreneurs contribute to economic growth and social transformation within this rapidly urbanizing region. The Delhi-NCR region, encompassing the National Capital Territory of Delhi and adjoining areas in Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan, represents a significant economic hub in India. It provides a fertile ground for exploring the dynamic role of women in business and its implications for economic development. Women entrepreneurship in Delhi-NCR has seen an outstanding ascent because of a conjunction of variables including expanded instructive fulfillment among ladies, steady government strategies, and developing cultural standards. This paper utilizes a blended strategies approach, consolidating quantitative information examination and subjective contextual investigations to grasp the expansiveness and profundity of ladies' effect around here. The review recognizes key areas where lady’s business people are generally dynamic, like innovation, retail, and administrations, and inspects how their endeavors impact nearby economies, work creation, and advancement.In order to determine the role of women-led businesses in regional economic development, the research conducts quantitative analyses of employment statistics, business performance metrics, and economic contributions. In order to gain an understanding of the difficulties and opportunities faced by women entrepreneurs, the study conducts qualitative interviews with business leaders, policymakers, and other female entrepreneurs. The findings highlight a number of significant effects that women's entrepreneurship has on the growth of the Delhi-NCR economy.

The Effect of an Instructional Program based on the Blended Learning Strategy in Enhancing English Pragmatic Competences among the Secondary Stage Students

The present study aimed at investigating the effect of an instructional program based on the blended learning strategy in enhancing English pragmatic competences among the secondary stage students in Saudi Arabia Kingdom. To fulfil the purpose of the study, the quasi-experimental design was adopted (pretest - post-test). The participants, totalling (56), were randomly selected form the second-year students in a public secondary school in Taif in Saudi Arabia. They were assigned into two groups: An experimental group (N= 28) that studied via an instructional program based on the blended learning strategy and a control one (N=28) that studied via the traditional method. The instrument consisted of a pragmatic competences tests to assess both discourse and functional competences. The results of the study revealed that: There was a statistically significant difference (α ≤ 0.05) between the mean scores of the control group and the experimental group in the post-administration of the pragmatic competence test, in favor of the experimental group. The study recommended developing Training English language teachers on how to exploit technology to boost collaboration among students and integrate the pragmatic competence teaching in their courses. In addition, the researcher suggested conducting further studies into blended learning strategy and pragmatic competences in English as a foreign language.

Evaluating the effectiveness of a blended learning system for developing technological andragogical content knowledge (tack) in community educators

Objective: The relevance of content knowledge, as well as andragogical knowledge and technological knowledge, is rapidly coming into focus as a challenge to turn into Technological Andragogical Content Knowledge (TACK). This study aimed to understand better the substantial variations in learning outcomes attributed to each of the seven sub-indicators of comprehension of technological andragogical content knowledge. Method: This study part of quantitative study. The data were gathered twice in this research, once before and once after the TACK intervention program began, to examine the impact of the TACK training paradigm. The TACK Training Model Development program was offered to 97 instructors from 28 Community Learning Activity Centers in the West Sumatra Province, Indonesia. These instructors engaged in the program on a voluntary basis. Result: The results of this study show that there was a statistically significant difference in TACK among currently practicing educators. This study suggests that a blended learning system for educational applications as an intelligence tutor may provide an alternate means of guiding educators. The findings of this research align with other research suggesting that the blended learning strategy has great potential for future TACK-based professional learning enabled by data analytics. This study's findings add to the expanding body of literature on blended learning in teacher education and teacher professional development, which seeks to enhance how adult instructors get specialized professional training to significantly impact their students' achievements. Conclusions: According to the findings, the TACK of the participants showed substantial signs of improvement. These findings contribute to the relatively small body of research that has been done on TACK, which helps adult educators further their professional development through the support of a blended learning system. This allows them to acquire the knowledge necessary to andragogically incorporate digital technology into students' educational experiences in Community Learning Activity Centers. This investigation has the potential to serve as a case study of the integration of blended learning with adult learning theory.

Blended learning: An innovative teaching strategy to teach dermatology to the family medicine residents of a teaching hospital.

Medical educators face different challenges in this digital era with the pressure for clinical practice as well as teaching. In blended learning Internet technologies are used along with face-to-face teaching to deliver learning methodologies. To assess the efficacy of the blended learning dermatology course on Family Medicine residents at a teaching hospital. Methodology: It was interventional (pre and post) study with purposive sampling. All the Family Medicine residents enrolled at The Aga Khan University Hospital participated in the study after giving consents. The course covered most common skin conditions. Multiple slide sessions, online lectures, clinical presentations, case-based scenarios, and quizzes were included in the course. Knowledge was assessed through pre- test by multiple choice questions. Post tests were taken after completion of the modules to assess the improvement in the knowledge of residents about basic dermatological conditions by multiple choice questions. After completion of sessions a survey questionnaire was administered to evaluate the perception of participants about blended learning strategy. The tests scores were significantly higher in the post test. The majority of the residents were satisfied with the course delivery. A statistically significant difference was found between pre and post test results with a P value 0.000. Blended learning is an effective and innovative teaching strategy that helped family medicine residents to enhance their learning more effectively. We recommend that this method of teaching strategy should be used in other clinical disciplines in different contexts.didifferent contexts.

Development and validation of a higher-order thinking skills (HOTS) scale for major students in the interior design discipline for blended learning

Assessing and cultivating students’ HOTS are crucial for interior design education in a blended learning environment. However, current research has focused primarily on the impact of blended learning instructional strategies, learning tasks, and activities on the development of HOTS, whereas few studies have specifically addressed the assessment of these skills through dedicated scales in the context of blended learning. This study aimed to develop a comprehensive scale for assessing HOTS in interior design major students within the context of blended learning. Employing a mixed methods design, the research involved in-depth interviews with 10 education stakeholders to gather qualitative data, which informed the development of a 66-item soft skills assessment scale. The scale was administered to a purposive sample of 359 undergraduate students enrolled in an interior design program at a university in China. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses were also conducted to evaluate the underlying factor structure of the scale. The findings revealed a robust four-factor model encompassing critical thinking skills, problem-solving skills, teamwork skills, and practical innovation skills. The scale demonstrated high internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha = 0.948–0.966) and satisfactory convergent and discriminant validity. This scale provides a valuable instrument for assessing and cultivating HOTS among interior design major students in blended learning environments. Future research can utilize a scale to examine the factors influencing the development of these skills and inform instructional practices in the field.

Effect of Blended Learning Strategy on Learning Outcome in Educational Psychology of Pre-Service Teachers of B.Ed. Programme

The key aim of this study is to investigate the effect of blended learning strategy on learning outcome in Educational Psychology of pre-service teachers of 2-year B.Ed. programme. A quasi-experimental, pretest-posttest non-equivalent control group design was employed. Only one state university located in Kolkata city was selected through simple random sampling. The sample for this study was comprised of 92 pre-service teachers available in second semester of 2-year B.Ed. programme in 2024 running under the Department of Education of that university. The two units of B.Ed. programme were assigned randomly as experimental group (N=48) and control group (N=44) respectively. For collecting the data, a learning outcome test with a reliability coefficient of 0.82 developed and standardised by the investigator was used. For analysing the data, one-way ANCOVA and 2×2 factorial design ANCOVA were applied. The findings demonstrated that the experimental group learners achieved higher learning outcome in comparison to the control group learners. Learning outcome in educational psychology of pre-service teachers was found to be independent on gender Further, findings of this study also showed that there was no significant effect of interaction between treatment and gender on learning outcome in Education Psychology, when their pre-learning outcome was considered as a covariate. Outcomes of this study can be implemented in improving the competency level of pre-service teachers in different teacher education programmes.

Impacts of blended learning with BOPPPS model on Chinese medical undergraduate students: a comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis of 44 studies

BackgroundWith the development of Internet information technology, especially the impact of the sudden outbreak of the novel coronavirus disease 2019 epidemic, along with the call for “classes suspended but learning continues,” a large number of medical educators have learned and experienced online teaching. They have understood the shortcomings of traditional teaching methods. Not only the blended BOPPPS teaching mode combines the advantages of the BOPPPS teaching mode but also the online teaching platform breaks through the limitation of time and space. However, a general consensus on the effectiveness of the blended BOPPPS teaching strategy in China is lacking, and few studies use quantitative synthesis to evaluate the effectiveness of this teaching strategy. Hence, this study aimed to assess the overall effectiveness of online and offline blended BOPPPS teaching strategies in higher medical education in China compared with the lecture-based learning (LBL) teaching model.MethodsStudies that blended learning with the BOPPPS model in China from January 2000 to October 2023 were searched in the Chinese and English-language online databases. We analyzed the objective and subjective scores of students and performed subgroup analysis for specialties and online teaching platforms. The data were analyzed using the Stata version 14.0 software. The quality assessment was performed using the Jadad scoring scale.ResultsForty-four studies were included in this meta-analysis. Compared with the LBL mode, the blended the BOPPPS teaching mode was more effective in terms of the overall capacity [standardized mean difference (SMD) = 1.193, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.813–1.572], mastery of medical theory knowledge (SMD = 1.090, 95% CI: 0.730–1.450), and practical skills (SMD = 1.246, 95% CI: 0.799–1.693). The analyzed questionnaire surveys indicated the positive effects of the blended BOPPPS teaching mode on classroom satisfaction, autonomous learning ability, learning interest, teamwork ability, interpersonal skills, ability to analyze and solve problems, group interaction, learning engagement, and learning strategies.ConclusionsThe study underscored that the blended BOPPPS teaching mode could effectively improve the comprehensive quality of students. The subjective scores also indicated that students generally preferred this novel teaching mode.

Navigating undergraduate medical education: a comparative evaluation of a fully online versus a hybrid model

BackgroundThe evaluation of undergraduate medical curricula plays a crucial role in ensuring effectiveness and helps in continuous improvement of the learning process. This study aims to compare the effectiveness of online and hybrid teaching models of the first-year MBBS curriculum in the COVID-19 era (2019–20) and the para-COVID-19 pandemic (2020–21).Study methodologyMixed methods study with CIPP model was used. Data was collected by administering a survey and focus group discussions (FGDs) with first-year students from the 2019–2020 and 2020–2021 cohorts, faculty and administrators, which were recorded for analysis. Recorded lectures, guidebooks, planners, and question papers were also scrutinized for quality and adequacy. Furthermore, admission merit, module assessments, and professional examination results were compared and correlated. The learning environment was evaluated through the questionnaire (validated and used by Pakistan Medical and Dental council for inspections of medical schools) and the facilities provided in both years were juxtaposed. The study utilized NVIVO for qualitative and SPSS version 23 for quantitative data analysis.ResultsContextual analysis underscored the critical need for online teaching during the COVID-19 pandemic, with provided resources being deemed sufficient. Notably, the student-faculty ratio stood at 4:1, and essential resources were readily available. The fully online batch outperformed the hybrid teaching class in 2020–21. Process analysis revealed successful session delivery in hybrid and online through webinars and Zoom, accompanied by timely provision of study guides and punctual assessments. Moreover, examination papers demonstrated acceptable reliability (Cronbach’s alpha: 0.61) in core subjects. Product analysis indicated that the 2020–21 cohort performed better in modular and professional examinations across all subjects (P < 0.01) despite their lower admission merit compared to the 2019–20 batch.ConclusionsThe study revealed challenges faced during total online teaching, highlighting knowledge and skills gaps in students. While students favored hybrid teaching for interaction, faculty preferred online strategies and suggested blended learning. The administration recognized faculty’s swift transition but stressed the need for blended learning workshops and strengthening the medical education department. Recommendations include implementing blended learning strategies, conducting faculty workshops, equipping the medical education department for online teaching, and gathering student feedback after each module to enhance the curriculum.

Self-Directed Learning Versus Traditional Teaching in Learning Gross Anatomy Among First-Year Medical Students: A Comparative Study.

Gross anatomy is the first subject to be grasped by budding medicos before learning a long series of skills and competencies required to bloom as a physician or surgeon. In recent years, the teaching time for anatomy has been reduced. The number of anatomy teachers is much less in comparison to the increasing number of students. There is also a paradigm shift in medical education; it has become competency-based, learner-centric, and technology-based. So, anatomical education is also shifting to adopt blended learning strategies. Now, the onus of learning lies more with the students, which can be promoted through self-directed learning (SDL).Many first-year medical students are unprepared for SDL and need assistance understanding SDL. Structured SDL can successfully instill the habit of SDL in young medical students, who are supposed to be lifelong learners in their professional careers.The concept of structured SDL under the supervision of teachers is comparatively new in India. Very few studies are there to compare the effectiveness of SDL with those of traditional teaching methods. The present study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of SDL in learning the gross anatomy of an important viscus, viz., the liver, and to compare it with the effectiveness of the traditional method of teaching by demonstration/prosection. This interventional comparative study was carried out at the department of anatomy of a government medical collegein Kolkata, India. Sixty willing first-year undergraduate medical students were included in the study. The students were divided into two batches (Batch A and Batch B) of 30 each. Students of Batch A were taught the viscus (liver) by the traditional method of teaching by demonstration/prosection for one and a half hours. Validated pre-test and post-test questionnaires were administered to evaluate learning outcomes. Students of Batch B had a structured self-directed learning (SDL) session under the supervision of teachers on the same topic, viz., viscus (liver), for one and a half hours. The pre-test and post-test questionnaires were given before and after the SDL sessions to evaluate learning outcomes. The results were statistically analyzed. It was observed that the mean post-test score after traditional teaching improved significantly compared to the mean pre-test score. Also, the mean post-test score after the SDL session improved significantly compared to the mean pre-test score. It was found that the mean post-test score after exposure to traditional teaching methods was slightly better than the mean post-test scores after exposure to SDL, but this difference was not statistically significant. It can be inferredthat structured SDL under the supervision of teachers was almost as good as the traditional teaching method by demonstration/prosection in learning the gross anatomy of an important viscus, viz., liver. In the context of the reduced number of anatomy teachers and an increasing number of students, this may open up an option of teaching some portion of gross anatomy, like a few viscera, by SDL. However, a more robust study with a larger sample size can be more conclusive.

The Effect of Blended Learning in English Language Proficiency Courses on the Language Performance of Kurdish EFL Postgraduate Students in Sulaimani City

Recently, the effect of the blended learning strategy as compared with the face-to-face instruction in English language teaching has become a popular topic of research. This study focuses on the effect of implementation of Blended Learning (BL) approach in English Language Proficiency courses in Sulaimani city, Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRI) on the language proficiency of both Elementary and Pre-intermediate level course participants. The study utilizes the quasi-experimental research design involving 104 Kurdish postgraduate students, who were allocated into a treatment group (blended learning) and control group (traditional face-to-face classroom), from these two levels. Thus, the main goal of this study is to investigate whether there are any significance differences in obtained language proficiency between participants of the two groups between groups and per level. The sampling has been taken from the population who were enrolled in an English language proficiency course at the public universities’ language centres in Sulaimani city. The experiment was carried out during an intensive course lasted for six weeks (100 hours) in which the classes of English language proficiency were taught four days per week. The experimental group was taught using blended learning (i.e. an equal combination of both virtual and face-to-face teaching) and the control group was only instructed with regular face-to-face teaching. Overall, the results show that the participants who were taught using both blended learning and traditional teaching methods outperformed the control group who were only taught in face-to-face classrooms. Additionally, the pre-intermediate experimental group achieved higher language performance than the pre-intermediate control group and improved their overall language proficiency slightly higher than the elementary group. The findings of this study bring further evidence and support for the integration of blending learning into English language classes, particularly in the language proficiency courses of the universities’ language centres. This study also has a number of teaching implications for EFL teachers which will be highlighted at the end of the paper.

Acceptability and feasibility of using a blended quality improvement strategy among health workers to monitor women engagement in Option B+ program in Lilongwe Malawi

Option B + provides lifelong ART to pregnant and breastfeeding women with HIV to reduce mother-to-child transmission of HIV (eMTCT) and improve maternal health. The effectiveness of Option B + relies on continuous engagement, but suboptimal monitoring of HIV care hinders our measurements of engagement. Process mapping and quality improvement (PROMAQI) is a quality improvement strategy for healthcare workers (HCWs) to optimize complex processes such as monitoring HIV care. We assessed the acceptability and feasibility of the PROMAQI among HCWs and identified barriers and facilitators for PROMAQI implementation. A cross-sectional study using a mixed method approach was conducted from August 2021 to March 2022 across five urban health facilities participating in PROMAQI implementation n the Lilongwe district, Malawi. We assessed PROMAQI acceptability and feasibility at the end of the study. A 5-point Likert (1 = worst to 5 = best) scale tool was administered to 110 HCWs (n = 15–33 per facility) involved in PROMAQI implementationThese data were analysed using descriptive statistics Among the 110 HCWs, twenty-two (QI team (n = 11) and QI implementers (n = 11)) were purposively selected for in-depth interviews. Thematic analysis was conducted using deducted and inductive approaches. The theoretical framework for acceptability (TFA) was used to identify reasons for acceptability. The Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR) was used to characterize the barriers and facilitators of PROMAQI implementation. HCWs recruited had a median age of 37 (32–43) years, 82.0% of whom were female. Most (42%) had completed secondary education, and 84% were nurses and community health workers. The median (IQR) acceptability and feasibility scores for the PROMAQI were 5 (IQR 4–5) and 4 (IQR 4–5), respectively. Reasons for high PROMAQI acceptability included addressing a relevant gap and improving performance. Perceived implementation barriers included poor work attitudes, time constraints, resource limitations, knowledge gaps, and workbook difficulties. The facilitators included communication, mentorship, training, and financial incentives. PROMAQI is a highly acceptable and feasible tool for monitoring engagement of women in Option B + . Addressing these barriers may optimize the implementation of PROMAQI. Scaling up PROMAQI may enhance retention in the Option B + program and facilitate eMTCT.

Impact of personal values on learning approaches and academic achievements in UK higher education

In the post-Covid era of higher education, blended teaching has become the standard method of instruction. This approach incorporates various modes of delivery, and it is important for students to engage in the diverse form of learning. Considering students’ preferences for learning approaches, especially independent learning, is crucial in the development of blended teaching methods. One of the key factors affecting students’ preferences is personal values, which can influence student’s adoption of learning approaches. This, in turn, affects their engagement in the learning community and their academic performance (Gamage, Dehideniya and Ekanayake, 2021). Personal values vary culturally, and this is particularly relevant when developing blended teaching strategies for cohorts of mixed nationalities. This issue is especially pronounced in the departments and schools across the UK universities, which often have a diverse student body with mixed cultural backgrounds. Our research aims to examine the role of personal values (specifically self-direction values and conformity values) in students’ adoption of independent learning and the impact of these values on their academic achievement in blended teaching context. Our research was conducted in 2022 through an internship scheme sponsored by WMG. We conducted a Qualtrics survey with the convenient sample of 162 among which 146 from China (including Hong Kong S.A.R.). The results indicated that self-direction values were closely correlated with both independent learning and academic achievement while no significant correlation was found between conformity values and independent learning or between conformity values and academic performance were found. The research results hold considerable importance for educators in design self-directed study for students from varied cultural backgrounds in higher education settings.