Constructive Engagement Research Articles

Memperluas Pelaksanaan Wakaf Pendidikan di Malaysia

Providing a conducive and contemporary educational infrastructure requires a large-scale budget. Plus, learning ecosystem should be developed in line with current technologies. It is inefficient to depend on government allocation for education in the long run. Constructive engagement dan active contribution from all parties are strongly needed. Hence, stern actions to come out with comprehensive, concrete and resilient solutions are essential. This vacuum can be filled with education waqf as an alternative shariah compliance financial mechanism which characterise a complementative and sustainable fund. This article aims to review the feasibility of education waqf for the school level in the Malaysian status quo and education system. Qualitative approach with content analysis is used. The data collection method is the analysis of secondary source documents and being analysed descriptively as well as inductively. The results show that there are several constraints to implement educational waqf broadly such as legal factors. However, there are still spaces that can be utilised to implement educational waqf comprehensively through collaborative cooperation with stakeholders. All stakeholders in education must manipulate all capabilities and resources towards realising this aspiration, especially in an era of increasingly complex education with the COVID-19 pandemic threat and global economic uncertainty.

The Impact of Trade Unionism on Staff Welfare in Nigerian Public Institutions: A Focus on Akwa Ibom State University (AKSU)

Public institutions in Nigeria, including universities, had long faced persistent challenges related to staff welfare, such as poor working conditions, inadequate remuneration, and limited career advancement opportunities. These issues had led to frequent industrial actions and strained relationships between university management and staff unions. This study investigated the impact of trade unionism on staff welfare in Nigerian public institutions, with a particular focus on Akwa Ibom State University (AKSU). The study addressed three main objectives: examining the effect of trade union activities on working conditions and benefits at AKSU, assessing the relationship between lobbying efforts and staff welfare, and evaluating the impact of strikes on staff welfare at the university. The findings revealed that trade union activities significantly impacted the working conditions and benefits of employees at AKSU. Unionized staff reported better access to resources, improved remuneration, and more favorable working environments compared to their non-unionized counterparts. The study also found a positive relationship between lobbying and staff welfare in AKSU, as effective lobbying efforts by trade unions contributed to the implementation of policies and programs that enhanced staff welfare, such as salary reviews and career development opportunities. The study concluded that trade unionism played a vital role in shaping staff welfare in Nigerian public institutions, as exemplified by the case of Akwa Ibom State University (AKSU). The findings highlighted the importance of constructive engagement between university management and trade unions to address staff welfare concerns and foster a conducive work environment. The study recommended that the university management and the state government establish regular dialogue and collaborative platforms with trade unions to address staff welfare issues proactively. AKSU should also develop comprehensive staff welfare programs that address the diverse needs of its academic and non-academic staff and strengthen its internal dispute resolution mechanisms to minimize the frequency and impact of strikes.

Refugees in the Global North: dynamics, dilemmas, and constructive engagement.

The movement of refugees across borders has become a persistent feature of contemporary global society. Despite the protections offered by the 1951 Refugee Convention, which has been ratified by some 146 states, countries in the Global North have adopted a variety of contradictory and incoherent policy responses to refugees and migrants. These responses have been influenced by anti-immigrant public sentiment and growing popular demands to restrict and manage cross-border movements. The dynamics and dilemmas of contemporary refugee movements and policy responses create challenges for advocates and practitioners. Refugee policies have been complicated by the phenomenon of 'mixed migration', where migratory patterns reflect the intersection of economic choices and forced migration. Within this context, we propose that policies of many prosperous countries, which thus far focus almost exclusively on restriction, be guided by considerations of shared responsibility and human dignity.

The Dragon's Overwatch: Chinese Private Security Expansion in Latin America and the Caribbean

This scholarly disquisition furnishes a comprehensive exploration of the burgeoning presence of Chinese private security companies (PSCs) across Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC), delving into the strategic repercussions for regional security architectures and national sovereignty imperatives. Employing a meticulous qualitative methodology encompassing a thorough literature review, policy document analysis, and an examination of Chinese-language sources, the research elucidates the salient drivers catalyzing this phenomenon. These precipitating factors span cultural affinities, economic motivations, geopolitical ambitions, and the exigent security challenges besetting Chinese commercial entities operating within the LAC region. The operational modes of Chinese PSCs are subjected to forensic scrutiny, illuminating their diverse service offerings, geographical permeation across the region, and the obstacles they confront. Furthermore, the inquiry contextualizes the issue within the broader geopolitical milieu, accentuating concerns regarding transparency lacunae, regulatory deficiencies, and potential avenues for Chinese intelligence and military machinations, thereby potentially destabilizing the regional equilibrium. Ultimately, the research culminates in a series of substantive policy prescriptions aimed at mitigating risks, fortifying regional stability, and safeguarding national sovereignty through capacity-building initiatives, constructive engagement with Beijing, enhanced transparency mechanisms, and robust regional cooperation frameworks.

Self-Study and Discussion Promote Students’ Science Learning

AbstractMany have investigated the effectiveness of teaching methods across different disciplines. In a previous study, we found the superior effectiveness of a two-part learning sequence consisting of self-study followed by discussion in humanities education. To examine the possibility of similar findings in science education, we compared that sequence with a traditional lecture–based teaching. Results indicate that self-study combined with discussion yields higher test scores, demonstrating its potential as a beneficial teaching strategy in science education. In Experiment 1, undergraduate students from various disciplines studied introductory biology under five different conditions: self-study and discussion, lecture and discussion, lecture and review, self-study and review, and self-study and review with additional learning materials. Results indicated that the self-study and discussion condition yielded higher test scores than both the lecture and discussion condition and the three review groups. There were no significant differences in scores among the three review groups. These results demonstrate that discussion is an effective learning method and that self-study enhances the benefits of discussion. In Experiment 2, which involved science and engineering majors, we successfully replicated the design of Experiment 1 using physics for the two discussion conditions: self-study or lecture. We also performed in-depth analyses of student interactions during the discussions. Among the two discussion groups, the self-study and discussion group exhibited more active and constructive engagement in sharing unknowns, leading to enhanced learning. These findings suggest that integrating self-study with discussion can significantly enhance learning outcomes in science education. This approach not only improves test performance but also fosters deeper student thinking. Thus, educators might consider adopting this method to create more interactive and effective learning environments in science courses.

HANDS-ON FLUIDIZED BED CLASSROOM IMPLEMENTATION AND ASSESSMENT

In this study we examined the first-time use of a miniaturized fluidized bed module in a chemical engineering classroom. Learning activities were developed to foster learning at the higher levels of Bloom's taxonomy and within the ICAP framework to provide interactive, constructive, and active engagement to promote a deeper understanding of concepts. A hands-on activity facilitated by a desktop-scale fluidized bed and reinforcing printed worksheet materials was deployed within a 50-min class to encourage student engagement. Results from module performance tests compare well to predictions based on theoretical models suggesting this tool can effectively demonstrate fundamental concepts related to pressure loss in a packed bed, minimum fluidization velocity, constant pressure drop in a fluidized bed, bed expansion and repacking below a top screen. Pre- and Posttests 1 and 2 show student learning was significantly improved after pre-homework and the hands-on activity compared to the learning after the lecture alone. Student responses to two open-ended questions on Pre- and Posttests 1 and 2 allowed us to identify persisting student misconceptions about packed and fluidized beds. Suggestions for future work to repair these misconceptions are included in this study. Tweetable AbstractA hands-on fluidized bed learning tool enabling visualization of packed and fluidized beds in a chemical engineering classroom, and associated impacts on conceptual learning and student engagement.

The received view and Revelation: A social-scientific reading of Revelation 2–3

This article aims to present a culturally plausible reading of Revelation 2–3. This will be done through the use of a social-scientific model focussing on the core values of honour and shame in the ancient Mediterranean world. Before describing this model, the article will present a cursory discussion on the currently received view of Revelation’s genre and Revelation 2–3. It is argued that while the received view provides valuable historical descriptions of the ancient Mediterranean world, this approach is inadequate to bring to the fore the underlying norms and values found in Revelation 2–3. Using the model of honour and shame as a lens through which to read Revelation 2–3, it becomes apparent that these seven letters are filled with honour claims that are either confirmed, challenged or denied. In addition, honour is also ascribed to specific communities, and in some cases, honour is redefined.Intradisciplinary and/or interdisciplinary implications: Reading Revelation 2–3 through social-scientific models engages critically with the traditional approach to these texts, and provides a culturally sensitive and responsible reading thereof. This reading further promotes a constructive engagement with cross-cultural anthropology.

The Land and its People: The South African ‘Land Question’ and the Post-Apartheid Political Order

Why is it that South Africa’s ‘land question’ is so stubbornly resistant to resolution? This think piece re-examines 30 years of debate, concentrating on the disjuncture between the discourses of policy deliberation and those of contentious politics in debates about land in South Africa. It argues that the South African land debate as it unfolds in the public realm is best understood as a displaced discourse indirectly addressing the terms of political belonging and the nature of the post-apartheid political order. Far from being a distraction, this is a challenge that urgently needs to be confronted in its own terms. Drawing on the work of Ivor Chipkin, the paper argues that confronting the crisis of the post-apartheid political order requires a rethinking of the terms in which national identity is conceived. The paper explores the possibilities and challenges facing a politics of belonging centred on the Constitutional invocation of a political community ‘for all who live in it’ and what this might imply for a more constructive and productive engagement with land struggles in urban and rural South Africa.

Evolving nature-based solutions for Australia’s Indigenous estate in 2024 – opportunities and challenges

Globally, there is growing interest and potential for investment in Nature-based Solutions (NbS) to protect, manage or restore ecosystems through incentive schemes including Payment for Ecosystem Services (PES), Nature Repair, Carbon Markets, Common Asset Trusts. Collectively, these NbS markets establish interchangeable mechanisms to help address biodiversity and climate crises, as well as socio-economic issues concerning many Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities (IPLCs). IPLCs manage and/or own almost 32% of the world’s land area through customary and community-based tenure arrangements. Since 2000 several PES schemes have been implemented in Australia. These schemes have been overwhelmingly implemented as public-good expenditure, with governments providing ~90% of total funding. Indigenous people have either the legal right to run or veto a carbon market or nature repair project over 57% of the Australian land mass, increasing to 63% in savanna and 85% in desert regions. Here we critically assess opportunities and challenges for Australia’s Indigenous estate associated with existing and emerging NbS market approaches, especially the Commonwealth’s current Savanna Fire Management (SFM) and Human Induced Regeneration methods, evolving Integrated Farm & Land Management (IFLM) and Blue Carbon methods, and proposed Nature Repair (NR) market. To date, Indigenous NbS interests have focused especially on SFM across northern Australia, with prospective opportunities especially for IFLM and NR markets. Most available schemes focus on remediation of degraded lands and seas, ignoring cost-effective investment opportunities to maintain habitats and ecosystems in less-degraded condition. Government-supported Common Asset Trusts can provide effective models for governance of stewardship schemes relevant to on-going care for relatively intact ecosystems. In Discussion we summarise key methodological, institutional, and policy opportunities and challenges for constructive Indigenous engagement with developing NbS markets. Our purpose is to provide an Indigenous land and sea management context to inform development of rapidly evolving NbS markets in Australia.

Graduate school's impact on careers: Insights and implications from master of arts in education graduates

This study explores the impact of a graduate education strategy in mathematics education, focusing on how graduation rates and student outcomes are influenced and managed. Employing an inductive thematic analysis and descriptive quantitative methods, the research reveals that program graduates experience significant professional growth, enhanced teaching practices, and increased self-confidence. These gains underscore the program’s critical role in advancing graduates' careers. Additionally, graduates actively engage in professional networks and organizations, furthering their career development. Their constructive feedback and engagement in program improvements highlight a commitment to continuous enhancement. Quantitative analysis shows the program's high relevance to graduates’ professional roles, resulting in higher salaries and a positive impact on mathematics education practices. Regardless of enrollment year, the Master of Arts in Mathematics Education program consistently benefits its graduates. These findings offer valuable insights for program administrators seeking to enhance program quality and effectiveness for current and future students. Moreover, the study acknowledges that individual abilities, research focus, and external opportunities may also influence graduate performance. Keywords: Education; graduate education; Mathematics; network building.

The Impact of Renewable Energy Industry Amidst the Tense Relationship Between America and China

The challenges and risks exist in every industry under the context of China-US competition. Although both countries use different approaches, significant potential for collaboration and challenges to effective cooperation still exist. By delving into the differences in policy, cooperation initiatives, and competitive dynamics, they have highlighted the interdependence of China and the US in the global renewable industry overall. It is essential to understand the evolving relationship between these two nations in the renewable energy sector, in the context of escalating geopolitical tensions and the requirements of sustainable development. The study concludes that while competition can reduce costs and spur technological advancement in renewable energy, cooperation through leveraging each countrys strengths can significantly contribute to global climate change efforts. Despite the tense relationship, fostering constructive engagement and finding common ground in the renewable energy sector can benefit both economies and promote global sustainable development.

Constructive Engagement Between Ecological Thoughts of Karl Marx and Lao Zi

Constructive Engagement Between Ecological Thoughts of Karl Marx and Lao Zi

Generative AI in American and Canadian courts: a ‘training’ approach to regulation

ABSTRACT Increased usage of generative artificial intelligence (AI) within the legal profession has prompted responses from the judiciary, resulting in the issuance of various practice directives. The spectrum of these directives ranges from conservative recommendations to more radical measures demanding lawyers to disclose their use of generative AI in the preparation of legal documents or certify the absence of such software in their creation. This article explores the development of a comprehensive framework for judicial guidance on generative AI use in legal proceedings in Canada, highlighting key elements of such guidance. The author contemplates a ‘training’ approach to regulating generative AI use in legal proceedings, focusing more on the user than the technology itself. This approach emphasises the need for judicial guidance to balance constructive engagement with generative AI with lawyers’ ethical responsibilities.

Unlocking the benefits of montessori-based reading activities in nursing home: A multiple baseline study on groups of individuals with severe dementia.

Group activities are commonly offered to residents of nursing homes, and increasingly with a person-centred care approach. The aim of this study is to compare the impacts of a Montessori-based reading activity with a more traditional reading activity. A multiple baseline design was used, with 3 groups of 5 older adults with moderate to severe dementia. All sessions were videorecorded and analysed by independent judges, blinded to our hypotheses and conditions. Impacts of the type of activity (storytelling or Montessori-based reading) on verbal interactions, engagement level, affect and behavioural aspects were estimated with both visual analyses and statistical analyses using the between-case standardised mean differences method. Significant differences were found in favour of the Montessori-based activities with regard to the number of verbal interactions, constructive and passive engagement and positive affect expressed, with moderate to large effect size (from 0.46 to 1.66). The Montessori-based reading group activity really seems to be preferable to a more traditional storytelling activity, with multiple benefits for residents. Depending on the preserved abilities and interests of the participants, it can also be aimed at people with severe dementia.

Social Media and Political Communication in Ghana: Views of Inhabitants of Tema Metropolis

Though political parties are increasingly adopting social media to increase voter support, the efficacy of social media campaign strategies in enhancing political fortunes remains a subject of discussion in Ghana. This study explored the views of Ghanaians on the use of social media campaign strategies as a political communication tool. In all, 384 social media users who are voters residing within the Tema Metropolis participated in the study. Data was obtained using a questionnaire and analyzed descriptively. The study observed that Ghanaian political parties have a strong presence on social media. Again, Ghanaian political parties effectively rely on social media platforms to engage electorates. Also, they effectively use social media distribute creative and visually appealing contents about their policies and achievements to the electorates. Further, they adopt campaign-specific hash tags which are creative, memorable, catchy, and engaging to help them to capture attention of voters. The study concludes by accentuating the need for political parties to employ social media for constructive dialogue and engagement with voters to amplify the impact of social media campaigns on the political fortunes in Ghana. Finally, practical implications of the findings have been provided to facilitate effective application of social media campaign strategies for democratic governance.

The U.S. Withdrawal from Afghanistan and the Escalation of Anti-Pakistan Sentiment: Analyzing Causes and Exploring Solutions

In the aftermath of the US withdrawal from Afghanistan, a sense of resentment among the people of Afghanistan toward Pakistan has been observed. The Afghans have displayed their resentment towards Pakistan mainly through public protests and online social media campaigns. For Islamabad, this display of antipathy by the Afghans may be rather difficult to comprehend since Islamabad has been hosting millions of Afghan refugees for over three decades. Against this backdrop, this research paper delves into the historical undercurrents of Afghan resentment towards Pakistan and discovers the causes behind it. In doing so, this research paper explores the nature of Pakistan’s foreign policy towards Kabul and its role in shaping Afghan perceptions. This paper highlights factors such as Pak-Afghan historical grievances, perceived interference in the internal affairs of Afghanistan, and a protracted refugee crisis as the main drivers of Afghans’ resentment toward Pakistan. Lastly, this paper has sought to put forward offers some potential pathways that can be adopted so as to address the rising anti-Pakistan sentiment and promote constructive engagement between Pakistan and Afghanistan.

Emotionalized Social Media Environments: How Alternative News Media and Populist Actors Drive Angry Reactions

ABSTRACT This study employs a comparative analytical framework to enhance our understanding of the conducive opportunity structures that foster emotionally charged political discourse. We examined 175,539 Facebook posts characterized by variations in content (in terms of themes and populist rhetoric), authorship (including populist politicians, traditional news, and alternative media), and geographic context (Belgium, France, Germany, Switzerland, UK, US). We then analyzed 360,000 emotional responses from Facebook users to determine which posts create the most conducive conditions for eliciting angry emotions. Our key findings show that posts from alternative and hyperpartisan media, as well as those from populist politicians and parties, tend to elicit elevated levels of angry reactions. These posts often use anti-elitist and exclusionary language. This finding has significant implications, as the anger generated by such accounts can propagate incivility and polarization and facilitate the spread of ideologically driven misinformation. A particular case is Donald Trump, who, as a populist governing figure, manages to elicit positive emotions, including “love,” despite delivering seemingly antagonistic messages. To strengthen the robustness of our findings, we conducted a replication analysis with 67,620 Facebook posts from three of the six countries and examined two different time periods. This analysis confirmed the persistence of our findings over time. Our opportunity-structure framework offers valuable insights for designing targeted strategies to improve the quality of public discourse and promote informed and constructive political engagement in diverse societies.

Artificial Intelligence and Theology: Can Different Doctrines Have Different Outcomes?

This article focuses on how different theological perspectives may influence AI acceptance in diverse faith communities. It highlights differences between Western and Eastern Christian traditions, suggesting that the historical emphasis on intellect in Western Christianity might make it more open to AI, though challenges in church integration are acknowledged. Global examples of AI assimilation in religious practices, from a robotic Buddhist preacher to a blessing-delivering robot in a German church, are discussed. The article argues that theological doctrines shape AI perspectives, influencing ethics and raising profound questions about human identity. The ongoing debate questions whether AI threatens theology or fosters enriching dialogue. The article suggests, through historical parallels and the dynamic interplay of theological doctrines and technology, that the relationship between AI and theology could evolve into constructive engagement rather than inherent conflict.

Impact of pre-knowledge and engagement in robot-supported collaborative learning through using the ICAPB model

Several challenges exist in computer-supported collaborative learning environments, such as the potential for distraction and student boredom and isolation, which may adversely affect the quality of collaborative learning and knowledge construction. On the other hand, as an innovative learning tool, physical robots are seen as successful collaborative learning facilitators that can raise student engagement, strengthen social presence, and boost learning results. Meanwhile, tasks designed based on Bloom's taxonomy further ensure students' attention and cognitive growth in robot-supported collaborative learning (RSCL) environments. Although some researchers have explored how to maintain engagement in previous studies on robots, it is still difficult due to the lack of a commonly employed annotation method for evaluating engagement. Therefore, this study proposed the interactive, constructive, active, passive, and behavioral (ICAPB) engagement coding model, combining cognitive and behavioral engagement, to comprehensively analyze the relationship between pre-knowledge, student engagement, and learning achievement in the RSCL environment. An experiment was conducted in a first-aid course at a university to evaluate the effectiveness of this approach. The study involved a total of 36 students using a collaborative robotic system with Bloom's taxonomy. The results showed that pre-knowledge, whether at a high or low level, did not significantly affect students' posttest scores. Instead, student engagement significantly positively impacted their learning achievement.

Insights into leadership practices in South African Higher Education

Orientation: The complexity of higher education highlights leadership’s significance. Effective leadership ensures quality education and institutional survival, with senior academics (specifically, professors and associate professors) greatly influencing reputation and research. Exploring senior academics’ leadership experiences is therefore crucial.Research purpose: This study aimed to explore senior academics’ experiences of leadership behaviours at a South African higher education institution, extracting their experiences of positive and negative behaviours.Motivation for the study: Senior academics play significant roles, with vital teaching, research, and reputation contributions to the quality of the university’s educational service. Despite numerous leadership studies, none have explored senior academics’ experiences in South Africa.Research approach/design and method: In this study, a qualitative descriptive design was employed to investigate the experiences and perspectives of 14 senior academics. The participants were selected using stratified random and snowball sampling techniques.Main findings: Participants experienced positive, effective behaviours and negative, destructive behaviours, highlighting the complexity of leadership experiences through contrasting experiences. Positive, effective leadership behaviours include constructive engagement, compassionate support, psychological safety and enabling growth. Negative, destructive leadership behaviours include poor communication and collaboration, eroding integrity and regard, unresolved issues, depersonalisation and toxic practices.Practical/managerial implications: Understanding experiences and implementing recommendations could incorporate positive leadership behaviours into competency frameworks for human resources practices. Awareness of the leadership ethos dichotomy can potentially establish a unique and characteristic leadership culture.Contribution/value-add: This study provides senior academics’ leadership behaviour perspectives and produces lists of positive and negative leadership practices.