Higher Education Teaching Staff Research Articles

Impact of the technological implications of teleworking on higher education teaching staff

Impact of the technological implications of teleworking on higher education teaching staff

The experience of loneliness among international students participating in the BBC Loneliness Experiment: Thematic analysis of qualitative survey data

Loneliness is associated with poor mental and physical health in the general population. It is thought to be prevalent among international students, but few studies have investigated this. To capture what loneliness means in the everyday lives of international students we analysed data from 521 international students aged 16–40 years who participated online in the 2018 British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) Loneliness Experiment. Using the approach of thematic analysis of free‐text responses to a question probing the perceived meaning of loneliness, we identified six main themes: (1) Negative psychological and social aspects of loneliness; (2) The distressing experience of being alone; (3) Disrupted ability to make meaningful connections; (4) Sense of entrapment in a state of loneliness; (5) Awareness of others’ stigmatizing perceptions of oneself as lonely; (6) Perceptions of positive aspects of loneliness. These findings identified a range of negative social and psychological dimensions of loneliness in international students in relation to their well-being, emotional health, and social functioning, hampering the benefits to be gained from their overseas study. Higher education teaching staff, pastoral staff, and mental health professionals need to be more aware of the prevalence and impacts of loneliness and should tackle it in culturally appropriate ways.

Caught between COVID-19, Coup and Conflict—What Future for Myanmar Higher Education Reforms?

On 1 February 2021, Myanmar military dictators seized power from the elected government and halted the country’s budding reform process. This article explores how Myanmar’s higher education (HE) sector was affected by the coup and COVID-19 and how this has resulted in societal conflict. The article reviews first the history of military coups, then the education reforms in general and what was done in HE, before discussing the effects of COVID-19 and the coup on the sector. Voices from HE teaching staff show the tension in the role of HE as a vehicle for reform and promulgation of those in power. The article argues that the national vision propagated by Myanmar’s HE sector is juxtaposed to that propagated by the Tatmadaw, both claiming to represent Myanmar’s future. This research highlights the dual forces of the COVID-19 pandemic and military coup at a crucial time for HE reforms in a fragile, conflict-affected state, with the future of the reform goals of equity and equality of the sector at stake.

Análise de jogos e recursos gamificados utilizados para mediar o processo de ensino-aprendizagem de docentes em curso de formação

Muitos estudantes fazem parte de uma geração denominada de “nativos digitais”, os quais integraram ao seu cotidiano dispositivos móveis, notebooks e outros recursos que os permitem vivenciar experiências de um mundo cada vez mais conectado. Dentre as ações de entretenimento que habituais buscam, têm-se os jogos digitais e atividades gamificadas. Neste contexto de tecnologias e preferências lúdicas, faz-se necessário atrair a atenção desses alunos, com isso, os jogos assim como a gamificação podem servir de apoio ao professor. Mas, os professores que atuam ou irão atuar com os alunos têm em seu processo formativo conhecimento para integrar os jogos e a gamificação a sua prática pedagógica? O presente trabalho verificou estudos sobre o uso de jogos digitais ou gamificação na formação de professores. A presente pesquisa caracterizou-se como revisão sistemática e utilizou a base de Teses e Dissertações da CAPES (Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal do Nível Superior) para coleta de dados. O critério de identificação dos trabalhos se deu pelo uso de descritores, sendo eles: jogos digitais ou gamificação nos cursos de formação de professores. Encontraram-se 11 trabalhos, os quais indicaram a necessidade da inclusão da tecnologia por meio do uso dos jogos digitais ou gamificação, nos cursos de formação de professores, seja na graduação ou em cursos de formação continuada. Concluiu-se que a inclusão dos jogos digitais e dos recursos da gamificação nos cursos de formação, pode ser um caminho para a inclusão dos jogos digitais no ensino, como um apoio para as disciplinas curriculares tradicionais.

Digitally proficient but disconnected from the outdoor world? A reflection on pedagogies used in an Early Years degree in higher education

PurposeThe purpose of this case study is to reflect on the blended pedagogies applied with a second year cohort of Early Years (EY) undergraduate students. It focusses on the experiences of both learner and educator as they explore the use of blending technology and outdoor learning to support a holistic curriculum in 21st century early years practice.Design/methodology/approachA reflective case study approach was applied to practice in situ as part of an outdoor learning project within a Level 5 module. One Higher Education (HE) tutor and 24 EY students participated in the study. Three research questions informed the reflective study: an exploration around the tensions of how digital technology might be blended with the more traditional, sensory and experiential pedagogies of outdoor learning, using an app. It considers the effects of this approach on student learning and what lessons can be learnt by the tutor in attempting to model these pedagogies.FindingsThis case study reveals the advantages and discomfort of role modelling a practice as HE tutor that has not been applied before in this context and as such is considered an innovative pedagogy (Koros-Mikis, 2009). EY students engaged in the blended provision, applying digital technology for educational purposes and this resulted in enhanced collaborative learning between students and tutor, affecting attendance and motivation to try new approaches in their practice. Reflecting on this practice has revealed that pedagogical thinking can be transformed when ideas are shared in a way that appears non-judgemental and new approaches can be applied where the right environment affords such opportunities.Research limitations/implicationsLimitations are around sample size, and a longer period of time for students to engage with a Personal Learning Environment (PLE), evidencing sustained engagement. The focus is one that is pertinent to the issues currently being considered as part of curriculum reform in Wales and as such may not hold the same weight in other parts of the world. As a case study, it is recognised that this is not generalizable and thus not easily replicable (Gilbert, 2008).Practical implicationsIssues around modelling pedagogies that depict 21st century learning are highlighted for “digital immigrant” HE teaching staff members. Understanding how to apply digital technology in a digital world within our own, often traditional practices, particularly in the field of early years outdoor learning needs further exploration in light of the new curriculum for Wales so that future practitioners are able to consider the holistic approach of blending pedagogies across areas of learning and not working in subject-specific silos.Social implicationsThe implications of this case study raise questions around the appropriateness of training and development for “digital immigrant” staff members, understanding student digital competency, blending pedagogical approaches, as well as the debate around digital technologies being part of young children's learning within a reformed curriculum in Wales. These challenges present questions that require social consideration as well as arguments as to why they cannot be overlooked.Originality/valueThis case study identifies a need to explore the ways in which blended pedagogies are applied and modelled in HE practice and to observe how it influences students learning and beliefs in their own pedagogical practices. The curriculum reform in Wales suggests that teaching and learning will need to be far more holistic in nature and these two areas currently collide as pedagogies. Thus being able to demonstrate the value of them in synergy will be most helpful to practitioners who will need to make a paradigm shift in their approaches to embrace the new curriculum.

Doctoral Education as an Institutional Resource for Training Research and Higher Education Personnel (Article 1)

The diversification of professional trajectories of academic degree holders is now becoming a global trend, and it prompts us to take a fresh look at the problem of evaluating the effectiveness of existing institutions for the training of academic and research personnel – the systems of doctoral education in Russia and abroad – in terms of the training of academic researchers and higher education teaching staff. Our two articles which share the scope of problems and have a single general concept, consecutively address the following issues: the collection and analysis of empirical data on training in doctoral programs; the dynamics of dissertation defense by graduates after the completion of doctoral programs; the actual timeframe of doctoral students’ advancement to their degree; the proportion of graduates who continue their scientific career after graduating from the doctoral program. The first article analyzes the organizational and methodological aspects of information and analytical support of institutions responsible for doctoral education in the countries of the European Union, the United States and Russia. It provides information about the organization of the systems for monitoring doctoral education and doctoral program graduates’ professional careers in foreign countries. The authors note the insufficient information support for the programs aiming to develop doctoral education in Russia, as well as the lack of empirical data necessary to assess the effectiveness of Russian doctoral education in the reproduction of human resources for the research and education sector. The results of the authors’ scientometric research concerning doctoral program graduates’ retention in the field of research and higher education are announced. The second article will present the details of the method and the results of these studies.

Associations between Employee Personality and Their Intent to Leave Among Higher Education Teaching Staff in Gwalior

The current research is an attempt to measure the associations between big five personality traits and turnover intention. The study was conducted on 200 faculty members from higher education institutes of Gwalior city. For the data collection process standardized scales for big 5 personality traits and turnover intentions were utilized and correlation analysis was applied as a tool for data analysis as well to test the hypothesis. Results of the analysis showed positive associations between 4 personality dimensions (Agreeableness, Conscientiousness, Openness to experience, extroversion) and turnover intentions as showed a negative association between emotional stability and turnover intention. The present study provides various suggestions and implications to the higher education institutes to reduce the frequency of turnover intention among faculty members.

The Intertwining of Educational Dualism in post-New Order Indonesia

This study focuses on continuities and changes in the dualism of national education after the collapse of the New-Order Regime in 1998. It argues that the Indonesian dualism of education may serve as a significant context in shaping the existing tensions in citizenship education in post- New-Order Indonesia. Drawing from a thematic analysis of citizenship education documents, related policy, and interviews with authors and higher education teaching staff, this study echoes the latest observations that reveal a more intertwining than rigid separation of the continuing dualism of national education. Yet, unlike the previous studies that reveal the tensions in more Islamic-based education, in its response to a more secular and modern demand, this study further highlights the intertwining of the dualism of education palpable in the citizenship education policy in post-New-Order Indonesia. It further calls for policy makers and educators to evaluate the existing citizenship education curriculum and its implementation within the context of an intertwined educational dualism in Indonesia. As such, this paper further aims to highlight the urgency of considering broader cultural and political contexts and actors involved in the process of reproducing official narratives of Indonesianess in the national curricula.

Реформирование заработной платы преподавателей в системе высшего образования

The aim of this study is to analyze the salaries of the higher-education teaching staff (HETS) in Russian universities and the identification of problems restricting reform.Methods. The work applied the graphical method of study.Results. It is revealed that in recent years the average salaries of teachers in higher education are growing, but at the same time the number of HETS and at the same time is the increase in individual teaching load.Conclusions. The study demonstrated the mismatch of the level of remuneration of lecturers and their load. The salary reforming, in addition to inefficient funding is affected by internal factors of universities that limit its growth.Â

Exploring an Experience of Active Learning in Higher Education

This article presents a subjective experience of attending a pedagogical training course for higher education teaching staff at Umea University, in Sweden. A participant observation was carried out based on an inductive approach. Data were collected through reports done in form of narratives at the end of each session. The analysis was done by critical reflection and the narratives were selected and thematically grouped according to the activities carried out during the course. Further, the analysis was supported by relevant literature related to educational theories that sustain student’s accountability in learning and interactive classes. The results of the study conclude that the role of the teacher is crucial to make students active, motivated and self-regulated. However, students’ active learning also depends on other factors such as contextual, social and psychological aspects. In addition, the communication involved in the process of teaching and learning develops confidence, empathy and achievement of good academic results.

Pedagogic Qualification of Higher Education Teaching Staff - The Third Wave

The process triggered by the Bologna Declaration has been producing significant results of various types in the EU Higher Education sector. After reviewing some of the consolidated outcomes of this process, reference is made to a novel trend that has emerged recently and which is geared towards the requirement that by 2020 all staff teaching in higher education institutions should have received certified pedagogical training. A description is provided of initiatives within the field of Engineering Education promoted by institutions that have been actively pursuing this precise objective for the past few decades.

An Australian and New Zealand scoping study on the use of 3D immersive virtual worlds in higher education

<blockquote>This article describes the research design of, and reports selected findings from, a scoping study aimed at examining current and planned applications of 3D immersive virtual worlds at higher education institutions across Australia and New Zealand. The scoping study is the first of its kind in the region, intended to parallel and complement a number of studies conducted in other parts of the world. Results from a sector-wide questionnaire administered as part of the scoping study, portions of which are presented in this article, appear consistent with international trends, especially in terms of the platforms chosen and the dramatic increase in usage seen in recent years. Higher education teaching staff in Australia and New Zealand are using 3D immersive virtual worlds with their students in a variety of ways, for both assessable and non-assessable tasks and in face to face, fully online/distance as well as blended-mode subjects, although use in face to face and blended contexts appears to be most common. The results also provide some insight into the demographics (e.g. age) of staff who have adopted 3D immersive virtual worlds in their teaching, as well as into the academic disciplines in which the technology is being employed.</blockquote>

An investigation into secondary school exit standards: Implications for university lecturers

This paper analyses the high school examinations sat by business studies students entering the University of Ulster, in September 2007, and assesses whether the students or the higher education teaching staff are prepared for the challenges ahead. Having looked at arguments for and against the statement that high school examinations are becoming easier, the paper then highlights the most popular subjects taken by the incoming students. Having examined the assessments used it then compares them with those used in the first year of university. Although this analysis shows that not all first year undergraduate students will struggle with the intensity of some of the higher education assessments, there is no doubt that university lecturers have to be prepared to provide greater support to the majority.

The Latest Developments in the Field of University Teaching Methods: A View from the German Democratic Republic

We would like to present selected results of research and indicative experiences from current developments in teaching methods in higher education in the German Democratic Republic (GDR) with particular reference to the Karl Marx University in Leipzig. Our aims are to stimulate the exchange of international news and to feed back the positive findings from other countries into our work in this area. We shall concentrate on three topics: (i) the development of teaching methods in higher education as a part of educational sciences; (ii) selected recent achievements in research; (iii) how these findings could be applied in practice in training and retraining higher education teaching staff.