Exploratory Design Research Articles

The Court of Arbitration for Sport and Athlete Protests: A Focus on the 2020 Tokyo Olympics

This research paper aims to delve into the complex intersection of athlete protests, political expressions in sports, and the Court of Arbitration for Sport’s (CAS) role, particularly emphasizing the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. An exploratory design is employed, combining historical context with analytical insight. The structure covers an introduction to CAS and the significance of athlete protests, traces the historical precedent of political expressions in Olympic Games, elaborates on the jurisdiction and procedures of CAS, provides a meticulous overview of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics controversies, and conducts a comparative analysis with previous Olympic CAS rulings. The 2020 Tokyo Olympics witnessed an unprecedented surge in athlete protests and political expressions. Key CAS rulings during these games had a profound influence on athlete behaviour, public opinion, and the stance of the Olympic Committee. Notably, CAS’s decisions revealed a cautious approach, balancing the Olympic guidelines and athlete rights. The study illuminates the evolving dynamics between sports institutions and athlete expressions. CAS, as an adjudicatory body, plays a pivotal role in shaping the trajectory of such protests, potentially influencing future Olympic policies. Gaining insights into the intricacies of the CAS decisions empowers sports professionals, athletes, and decision-makers to predict the possible outcomes of upcoming disputes. This in turn contributes to more seamless Olympic events. The present study delves deeply into the CAS’s engagement with athlete protests during the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Distinct from previous research, this work amalgamates historical, procedural, and ethical dimensions, offering a comprehensive understanding of an area that is both intricate and under the global spotlight.

Dental antimicrobial stewardship: a qualitative study of perspectives among Canadian dentistry sector leaders and experts in antimicrobial stewardship.

Dentistry is a significant contributor to the burden of antimicrobial overprescribing and hence to the global problem of antimicrobial resistance. However, antimicrobial stewardship in Canadian dentistry is nascent, with an acknowledged need for research and coordinated stewardship efforts. This study aimed to gain insights into the perspectives of Canadian dentistry sector leaders and experts on the main drivers of dental antibiotic overprescribing and potential stewardship strategies. Exploratory qualitative design. Data collection: four one-time, 1 h focus group discussions with 22 experts and stakeholders in antimicrobial stewardship in Canada, recruited through a mix of purposive and snowball sampling. Data analysis: inductive thematic analysis. The analysis yielded five themes: outdated patterns; antimicrobials as a Band-Aid; fear and risk aversion; behavioural change; and why reinvent the wheel? Overprescription in dentistry stems primarily from a perpetuation of outdated prescribing patterns, ubiquitous use of antibiotics as a temporary solution, and an overly cautious antibiotic use by risk-averse providers. Stewardship strategies should be grounded on behavioural change (motivation, robust data and enactment of new behaviours) and may be modelled after tested medical interventions. This study presents a roadmap for behavioural change in dental antibiotic prescribing, and points to the fact that the success of a stewardship actionable plan for Canadian dentistry may depend more on concerted efforts for change than on the creation of novel strategies. Hence, contextualizing and testing medical stewardship programmes in Canadian dentistry may be effective in combatting antibiotic overprescription, thereby contributing to global efforts to reduce antimicrobial resistance.

POSTTRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER AND PSYCHOSOCIAL RISK FACTORS IN FIRST RESPONSE WORKERS TO EMERGENCIES. MIXED METHOD.

First responders to emergencies are exposed to various risks, including psychosocial risk factors. Caring for patients in critical situations, experiencing traumatic events, and working under highly complex conditions increase their probability of developing mental disorders, such as posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The objective of the study was to determine the relationship between PTSD and psychosocial risk factors and to understand the experiences of the disorder in this population. An explanatory sequential mixed method research design was used. The quantitative phase was an analytical cross-sectional observational study (n = 193), and the qualitative phase was phenomenological (n = 5). The psychosocial risk factors that best explained the presence of PTSD symptoms were the influence of non-work conditions on work, religion, emotional avoidance, and professional support as individual factors related to coping strategies. Individual factors such as coping strategies were determining factors that explained the symptoms of PTSD, and the influence of non-work conditions on work. It was identified that the demands of the job and the organizational factors, such as leadership style and lack of institutional support, generate anguish in workers and affect their ability to regulate their emotions when exposed to critical incidents.

Linking Policies and Regulations to Sustainable finance for the promotion of urban agriculture: Evidence from Micro and Small Businesses

Urban agriculture is closely tied to several of the Sustainable Development Goals. It can play a critical role in helping to achieve these goals by promoting sustainable food production and consumption, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and creating more sustainable cities. It is also considered a pathway for overcoming food security in urban areas. However, this needs to be integrated with policies and regulations supported by sustainable finance. Due to COVID-19, conflict, and lack of infrastructure in Ethiopia, several challenges must be addressed to promote urban agriculture to aid food security. Hence, this study is conducted to examine how government policies and regulations promote urban agriculture through sustainable finance in Ethiopia. The study employed both an explanatory research design and a mixed research approach. Multi-stage sampling techniques that include (Simple random sampling techniques and judgmental sampling were used. The data was collected from selected micro and small enterprises engaged in urban agriculture. The structural and measurement model is estimated with the help of smart-pls software version 4. The study's finding implies that government policies and regulations have an insignificant effect on urban agriculture. At the same time, the study finding implies that sustainable finance has an important mediating role between urban agriculture and government policies. Hence, the impact of government policies and regulations on urban agriculture is found to have an indirect effect. Based on the study's findings, the study recommends that all stakeholders promote innovation and entrepreneurship that promote urban agriculture through sustainable finance.

The cognitive alignment of mathematics teachers’ assessments and its curriculum

This study aims to explore how the cognitive level alignment between the teachers’ assessments and Mathematics curriculum in Indonesia related to students’ higher order thinking skills (HOTS) development. The study adopted a descriptive exploratory design with a qualitative approach. The participants of this study were 15 high school mathematics teachers from Malang City and the Nganjuk district. Data were collected from the results of the assessments and indicators of the mathematics curriculum used by teachers. The data collected were analyzed using Anderson & Krathwohl’s Taxonomy to determine the alignment of the cognitive level from assessments and curriculum. In the semi-structured interview session, we recorded teachers’ responses who were able to construct HOTS-based assessments. Our findings showed: i) mathematics indicators primarily targeted students’ thinking skills at the low cognitive level, namely applying; ii) teachers’ assessments were more dominant at the low cognitive level, and there was no assessment at create level; and iii) the alignment of the cognitive level was relatively low for the HOTS category. The study findings can be used to improve curriculum and assessment in education. They can also be used as reflections for Mathematics teachers on the importance of aligning the cognitive level, especially that develop students’ HOTS.

Analysis of the structural relationship emotional regulation, academic procrastination, and academic burnout

<span lang="EN-US">Academic burnout (AB) is a problem that many students are currently facing since the online learning policy was implemented. This research aims to analyze the structural relationship between emotional regulation (ER), academic procrastination (AP), and student AB. This research used ex post facto causal relationship explanatory design. The research subjects were 417 high school students in East Java. The sampling was cluster random sampling technique. The data analysis technique used the Rasch model and structural equation modelling (SEM). The results showed that there was a significant relationship between ER and AP and AB. The implication of findings on the school guidance and counselling program is that the counsellors must pay attention to the factors that contribute to student AB so that counselling services can be designed to prevent student AB.</span>

The Effects of Community Policing Safety and Security in the Addis Ababa City Administration

The Addis Ababa city administration is committed to enhancing the well-being and prosperity of individuals and communities through community development. Out of the six wards, 3198 were present. Using a formula, Slovin distributed 355 questionnaires with 328 samples that were then divided into three subcities Arada, Kirkos, and Addis Ketema—to describe the implementation of the descriptive case study. Using a mixed methods research strategy, this exploratory design was descriptive. The research relies on primary and secondary data, such as interviews with front-line police, intermediate and senior officials, and unpublished documents from verified organizations such as the Addis Ababa Police Commission. While the quantitative approach emphasizes how effective community policing is, it prioritizes the deployment of obstacles in communities. This study was conducted to provide impartial accounts of experiences in the wild. The surge in crime has eroded public trust and safety, leading to low levels of human well-being. The Ethiopian government has taken steps to identify the root cause of the problem and implement measures to ensure its smooth functioning. The community has been involved in problem-solving partnerships with the police, and various community programs have been established to teach people how to handle crimes effectively. This has boosted the sense of confidence and well-being in the community.

M-fisheries prototype: Innovating towards evidence-based planning and decision-making in marine fisheries management

Kenya’s marine fisheries sector has the potential for increased growth. However, fisheries managers in Kenya currently face the challenge of poor, missing or aggregated catch data. This paper explores Information and Communication Technology (ICT)-based solutions in the fisheries sector. The study adopts exploratory research design. It reports a review and analysis of two ICT-based solutions in the fisheries sector, conducted in the year 2020. From the analysis, the study proposes the development of M-Fisheries Prototype, as an answer to the challenges of the two reviewed solutions. The prototype introduces an SMS/USSD app for data collection. The SMS/USSD app aligns to the mobile-rich but internet-poor context of the fish landing sites, as it addresses the challenges of the other mobile-based systems that only require the use of smartphones. These challenges include infrastructural accessibility, technical usability and internet data costs.

Enablers and inhibitors of digitalization as part of continuous improvement

Purpose To deal with an increasingly competitive environment, organizations are combining continuous improvement (CI) practices with digitalization to accrue their benefits on operational performance and achieve operational excellence. The purpose of this study was to identify the enablers and inhibitors of digitalization as part of CI projects. Design/methodology/approach A mixed-methods sequential explanatory research design consisting of an online survey and semi-structured interviews was used to examine how digitalization technologies have been incorporated by organizations in their CI projects. Findings Key enablers of digitalization were found to be leadership capabilities, strategic direction, stakeholder involvement, system compatibility, data quality and giving employees room to experiment. Knowledge of digitalization was found to affect all these enablers. Research limitations/implications The empirical findings are based on a nonprobability sample of Dutch CI practitioners, limiting their generalizability. Practical implications The empirical findings highlight the need for organizations to adopt a structured approach to implementing digitalization as part of their CI projects, starting by ensuring that the necessary knowledge and skills are either present or accessible to the organization. Originality/value The empirical findings show that enablers of digitalization in the context of CI are strongly interlinked, and thus require a holistic approach.

Implementation of Special Mathematics Education in Narvacan National Central High School

The study assessed the implementation of Special Mathematics Education (SME) at Narvacan National Central High School, focusing on teacher profiles, policy, instructional materials, and performance, identifying challenges and relationships among variables. The study utilized a mixed method and explanatory sequential research design, involving 15 teachers and 128 learners, and collected data through a survey questionnaire and one-on-one interviews, analyzing frequency, percentage, mean, and correlation. The study found that most respondents were female mathematics teachers aged 26-30, with a master's degree and school-based training. Most students received outstanding grades for the 2022-2023 school year. The Special Mathematics Education curriculum was highly implemented, and teachers' profiles showed a significant relationship with instructional materials and learners' performance. Solutions included technology integration, Open Education Resources, active learning techniques, and personalized learning plans. Teachers should pursue postgraduate education, enhance student performance through materials, sustain special mathematics education, enrich their knowledge through LAC sessions, seminars, and trainings, identify and solve teaching problems, and continue to provide meaningful and productive activities for learners, ensuring outstanding performance and continuous improvement.

Current status of electronic health literacy among pregnant women with gestational diabetes mellitus and their perceptions of online health information: a mixed-methods study

BackgroundWomen diagnosed with gestational diabetes mellitus often rely on internet-based health information for managing their condition. This study aims to investigate the present state of electronic health literacy among women with gestational diabetes mellitus, analyze the influencing factors, and explore their experiences regarding accessing, comprehending, evaluating, and applying online health information pertinent to gestational diabetes mellitus.MethodsA sequential explanatory mixed methods research design was adopted in this study. Initially, 235 women with gestational diabetes mellitus participated in a cross-sectional survey. The research tools included general information and the Chinese version of the electronic Health Literacy Scale (eHEALS). Descriptive analyses were conducted to describe the characteristics of the sample, and multiple linear regression analyses were used to explore the factors influencing electronic health literacy among women with gestational diabetes mellitus. Secondly, 11 women with gestational diabetes mellitus joined semi-structured in-depth interviews to obtain their perceptions about online health information. The data were analyzed using inductive content analysis to develop themes.ResultsThe median score of eHEALS in the Chinese version among 235 women diagnosed with gestational diabetes mellitus was 29 (interquartile range [IQR], 26 to 32). Factors influencing electronic health literacy among these women included accessing health information from medical professionals (β = 0.137, p = 0.029) and utilizing health information from applications (β = 0.159, p = 0.013). From the qualitative phase of the study, four thematic categories emerged: reasons and basis for accessing health information from the Internet; address barriers to accessing and applying online health information; desires for a higher level of online health information services; outcomes of accessing and applying online health information.ConclusionThe electronic health literacy of women diagnosed with gestational diabetes mellitus remains suboptimal and warrants improvement. The sources of access to health information affect electronic health literacy in women with gestational diabetes mellitus. Moreover, women facing gestational diabetes encounter numerous impediments when attempting to access health-related information online, underscoring the necessity for enhanced online health information services to meet their needs.

Evaluation of Sensory Characteristics of Rubber Tree (Hevea Brasiliensis) Sawdust and Leaves as Alternative Biofuels

In the face of rising fuel costs and environmental concerns, the need for alternate energy sources is growing. Charcoal, generated from animal and vegetable sources, has emerged as a viable alternative fuel. Briquetting, which compresses organic materials into compact briquettes, offers an environmentally responsible solution for waste management and energy production in the Philippines. Basilan, noted for its agricultural methods, generates a substantial amount of agricultural waste, including rubberwood sawdust (RBS) and Rubber Tree Leaves which is perfect for briquette production due to its lignocellulose content. Charcoal briquettes, made of charcoal fines and binder, are an economical, smokeless, and long-lasting fuel option which may poses sustainable solution as the conventional method of charcoal manufacture, which involves tree felling, poses ecological concerns. This exploratory experimental design study investigates the viability and possibility of utilizing biocharcoal from dried leaves of rubber trees and rubberwood sawdust (Hevea brasiliensis) as an environmentally benign and cost-effective option. This study intends to create a sustainable cooking fuel alternative to standard charcoal by reusing agricultural trash. The study aims to developed briquettes and assesses their physical characteristics such durability, efficiency, kindling time, burning time, and heating quality to three identified evaluators. Overall, the positive responses from those who were interviewed shed light on the promising potential of rubber sawdust charcoal briquettes (x̄=4.8 (liked very much)) and rubber tree leaves (x̄=4.23 (liked very much)) as a viable and environmentally friendly energy source for applications involving heating and cooking. Due to limited laboratory apparatuses, researchers recommended for a further evaluation of the developed briquettes such doing proximate analysis (e.g. measuring the moisture and ash content) established strong data to support the existing data.

In search of career-life meaning: Enhancing the existential experience of a gifted learner

This article reports on how intervention research based on integrative career counselling enhanced the existential experience of a gifted learner. The participant of this study was a purposively selected gifted 17-year-old girl learner in search of a career that would help her experience meaning, purpose, and hope in and through her career-life. An explanatory (QUALITATIVE-quantitative) research design was used together with qualitative career construction counselling-based methods. A new standardised test was used to generate quantitative data. Savickas’ guidelines for analysing career construction-elicited data were implemented to identify themes and subthemes in the outcomes. The intervention helped the participant decide on a career through which she could experience meaning, purpose, and hope in her career-life. Longitudinal research is needed to determine the medium- and long-term influence of the type of intervention discussed here with gifted learners in individual as well as group contexts across the diversity spectrum.

Randomised controlled trial of an online cognitive training program in school-aged children with cerebral palsy

BackgroundChildren with cerebral palsy (CP) experience deficits in nonverbal reasoning. The SMART online cognitive intervention has been associated with gains in IQ and nonverbal IQ in previous studies in typically developing school-aged children and children experiencing learning difficulties. AimTo assess the efficacy of an online cognitive intervention in school-aged children with CP. Methods and Procedures21 children with CP (male n = 17; 76.2%), mean age 9 y 8 m, SD 1 y 1 month (range 8 y 3 m to 12 y 6 m) were randomised into the intervention group (n = 9) or a waitlist control group. A mixed-methods approach with an explanatory sequential design was used, with a randomised controlled trial followed by qualitative interviews. Participants were assessed on measures of intelligence, academic ability, attention and executive functioning, and social-emotional functioning at baseline, then after completing the training, or the waitlist period. Analyses included ANCOVAs and paired samples t tests. Semi-structured interviews explored participants’ experiences with the training. Results and OutcomesTraining completion was low with a mean of 16.9 modules completed out of 55 available. No significant effect of training was found for the primary outcome of intelligence, or for any secondary outcomes. Participants reported barriers and facilitators for accessing the program. ImplicationsCognitive training programs addressing relational framing ability may require significant modifications before they can be effectively tested with children with CP.

Social intelligence in health professions educationists: how it helps to deal with challenges at the workplace? a mixed-method study

Objective: To identify the social intelligence of medical educationists, and the coping strategies used to deal with workplace challenges. Method: The mixed-method study with an explanatory sequential design was conducted from March 15 to July 30, 2021, after approval from the ethics review committee of Riphah International University, Rawalpindi, Pakistan, and comprised medical educationists working in medical and dental colleges and institutions across the country. Data was collected using Tromso social intelligence scale in the quantitative phase. The socially intelligent educationists were identified, and were interviewed. Qualitative data was subjected to thematic analysis to identify predominant themes explaining the coping strategies used. Results: In the quantitative phase, there were 80 participants; 51(63.7%) females and 29(36.3%) males, with 24(30%) having >10 years of professional experience. Of them, 11(13.8%) scored low, 54(67.5%) moderate and 15(18.8%) high on the social intelligence scale. In the qualitative phase, there were 13 subjects; 9(69.2%) females and 4(30.8%) males. There were 4 themes identified as coping strategies; inspire respect and trust, bringing readiness before a change, a collaborative and inclusive approach, and soft skills. Conclusion: Variation was seen in the levels of social intelligence among medical educationists working in academic institutions. Those with high levels of social intelligence used their non-cognitive soft skills to manage workplace challenges. Key Words: Social intelligence, Medical education, Workplace, Coping strategies, Coping skills.

Social media for diffusion of conflict & violence in Ethiopia: Beyond gratifications

This study explored the use of social media among the Ethiopian youth at the time of the political reform. The study employed an explanatory sequential design. Using an online questionnaire, the quantitative data were gathered from 412 university students who were pursuing their education in eight major cities of the country. For the qualitative data, in-depth interviews were conducted with 35 students in four places of the research area. The survey data was discussed using descriptive statistics while data from the in-depth interviews were discussed thematically. This research discerns that the youth had unshakeable loyalty to Telegram (96 %) while they are also dominantly using YouTube (nearly 79 %), Facebook (65 %) and Instagram (53.7 %). It is also discovered that the youths showed a high level of trust on social media (70 %) virtually on par with their faith in their friends (77.4 %) and teachers (72 %) where their entire trust in social media is governed by selective trust mechanism. The entire dependence the youths had on this mechanism, which is exacerbated by the social media algorithm, led to high level of like and share of posts including unproved stories and misinformation which in turn lead to the diffusion of conflict and violence in a vicious cycle. By shedding new light on how members of a collective culture could use the media to achieve group-oriented goals, the study also refutes the widespread view, which predominantly ties UGT (Use and Gratification Theory) with self-oriented aspirations. This study recommends the enhancement of media literacy by incorporating it in the schools curricula and providing media literacy education to the public using various channels of communication (including both mainstream and new media).

YouTube and the implementation and discontinuation of the oral contraceptive pill: A mixed-method content analysis.

Women living in high-quality healthcare systems are more likely to use oral contraceptives at some point in their lives. Research findings have sparked controversial discussions about contraception in the scientific community and the media, potentially leading to higher rates of method discontinuation. Understanding the underlying motives for method discontinuation is crucial for reproductive health equity and future programming interventions. To address this question, this study aims to explore women's experiences of oral contraceptive use and discontinuation on YouTube. A concurrent explanatory mixed-methods design was used to conduct content analysis of German YouTube videos. The information from 175 videos of 158 individuals was extracted through quantitative descriptive content analysis. Twenty-one individuals were included in the qualitative content analysis. The body was a recurring theme in the pill biographies. Women described, for example, bodily sensations as reasons for taking and stopping the pill. They also described positive and negative side effects while taking the pill and after stopping. The most common side effects of taking the pill mentioned by YouTubers were mood swings (76/158), weight gain (45/158), headaches (33/158), and depressed mood (45/158). The symptoms after discontinuation reported most were facial skin impurities (108/158), decreased mood swings (47/158), hair loss (42/158), and weight loss (36/158). Overall, women overwhelmingly rated their discontinuation experience as positive (87/91). The study identified key symptoms of oral contraceptive initiation and discontinuation by portraying the experiences of female YouTubers, adding valuable insights to the understanding of method initiation and discontinuation. Further research is needed to explore women's personal experiences with method discontinuation beyond the YouTube platform.

Leveraging the concept of information entropy to improve a multi-fidelity design framework for early-stage design exploration of complex vessels

Early-stage design exploration is crucial since most of the major design decision are locked-in and only small design modifications are possible at later stages. To assess the performance of the various design candidates while performing design exploration, there are available methods and tools of various fidelities. These methods can be combined to form a multi-fidelity (MF) framework that guarantees accuracy through the high-fidelity model and achieves faster computational speeds through low-fidelity models. The present study proposes the adoption of information-theoretic entropy to improve a MF design framework based on Gaussian Processes (GPs). Entropy quantifies the uncertainty associated with the prediction of the design space. We propose using this uncertainty metric both as a criterion to determine whether further designs should be sampled to construct a reliable approximation of the design space and as a criterion to establish in which optimization step the optimization of the covariance matrix for the MF-GPs should be performed. The approach was tested to benchmark analytical functions and to a ship design problem of an AXEfrigate. The approach holds potential in practical applications, as it aids in the determination of whether additional resources should be allocated for high-fidelity analysis to support early-stage exploration.

Educational Programme to Implement Skin-to-skin Contact for Preterm Infants in the Intensive Care Units: Qualitative Study Proposal

Introduction Skin-to-skin contact (SSC) has been widely adopted as an efficacious and useful approach to neonatal care. Despite the endorsement of this practice by the World Health Organization (WHO) over a decade ago, healthcare institutions in South Africa, particularly in the North West Province (NWP), have shown limited progress with regard to its implementation. Of particular concern is the fact that South Africa accounts for 60% of the global mortality rate among low birth weight (LBW) preterm infants. Therefore, an educational programme can be beneficial for both parents and nurses in implementing SSC for preterm infants in intensive care units, with the aim of reducing the neonatal mortality rate. Aim The aim of this research is to develop an educational programme to implement SSC for preterm infants in intensive care units of the NWP. Methods This study will be conducted in three phases. Phase 1: An integrative literature review (ILR) will be conducted by following these five steps: formulation of the review question, search strategy, critical appraisal, data analysis, synthesis and conclusion. Phase 2 represents an empirical study using a qualitative exploratory and descriptive design. Purposive sampling will be used to select two populations. Population one will be parents of preterm infants and population two will be registered nurses and midwives. Semi-structured focus group discussions (FGDs) with a minimum of six participants will be used to collect data in both populations until reaching data saturation. Data will then be analyzed using steps proposed by Creswell and Clark. Phase 3 consists of the development of an educational programme to implement SSC for preterm infants in intensive care units, using Kellogg’s Logic Model (KLM). The following three KLM steps will be used for the development of an educational programme: inputs and activities, identifying outputs, outcomes, and outcomes indicators. Conclusion The study furnishes an introduction to the research, the aim and objectives of the research as well as the research methodology that will be adhered to. The results obtained from phases 1 and 2 will be used to form the basis for the development of an education programme in phase 3.

Supporting Students' Speaking Skill in ELT Classroom: An Exploratory Action Research

The purpose of this Exploratory Action Research (EAR) was to explore the reasons behind the reluctance of students to speak in ELT class and to come up with possible solutions. It is based on an exploratory research design following a questionnaire, focused group discussions, and reflective notes as the tools for data collection. To investigate and overcome the issue, a set of questionnaires (open and close-ended were made in MS Word and Google Forms) and asked the students studying in grade 8 aged 13- 15 years old. I additionally used my reflective journals and had informal discussions with the focused group of 7 students to gather the data. After analyzing the data statistically and thematically, I found that my students liked to communicate in English but avoided it because of the fear of making mistakes and being laughed at by their peers. After devising the plans like asking the students to make self-suggestive and reflective notes, clapping instead of laughing while someone speaks in English, creating learner autonomy in the classroom, focusing on group and pair activities and providing complete and clear instructions in English helped to enhance the speaking skill of my students.