Implications For Education Research Articles

Refraining from culture-related discussions in English as a foreign language classrooms: lessons from negative cases

IntroductionThis study examined the factors that determined English as a Foreign Language (EFL) teacher decisions to refrain extending the use of culture-related classroom discussions. Specifically, we focused on the episodes in which teachers decided against holding specific culture-related discussions, to better understand the reasons for limited inclusion of diverse cultural content.MethodsIn our examination of the data, we opted for the Theory of Planned Behavior as a lens to interpret teachers' motives for deciding at will not to have a culture-related discussion. The study followed negative case methodology to gain insight into why teachers avoided classroom discussions about culture. Within this methodology, we applied the Possibility Principle to define and select relevant sample of cases. To analyse the cases, we employed hybrid approach of qualitative methods of thematic analysis.ResultsA thematic analysis of teacher interviews (N = 30) revealed that Israeli EFL teachers' decisions to refrain from culture-related classroom discussions were influenced by their personal norms and attitudes, perceptions of their roles as teachers, social conventions, and expectations of various school stakeholders. Specifically, we found that the major barriers to conducting culturally-related classroom conversations in the Arab sector had to do with the values endorsed by the school culture, with teachers' tendency to avoid taboo topics in their teaching due to concerns about how students would react or become alienated. For immigrant teachers, personal norms and perceptions of control operated as key factors in their decisions to avoid sensitive issues. Majority teachers cited negative attitudes, moral panics, school culture and perceptions of control as principal reasons for avoiding controversial topics.DiscussionThe emergent patterns are discussed as embedded in the cultural and social norms with possible implications for teaching in the multicultural classroom.

Surgeon Upper Extremity Kinematics During Error and Error-Free Retropubic Trocar Passage.

Surgeon kinematics play a significant role in the prevention of patient injury. We hypothesized that elbow extension and ulnar wrist deviation are associated with bladder injury during simulated midurethral sling (MUS) procedures. We used motion capture technology to measure surgeons' flexion/extension, abduction/adduction, and internal/external rotation angular time series for shoulder, elbow, and wrist joints. Starting and ending angles, minimum and maximum angles, and range of motion (ROM) were extracted from each time series. We created anatomical multibody models and applied linear mixed modeling to compare kinematics between trials with versus without bladder penetration and attending versus resident surgeons. A total of 32 trials would provide 90% power to detect a difference. Out of 85 passes, 62 were posterior to the suprapubic bone and 20 penetrated the bladder. Trials with versus without bladder penetration were associated with more initial wrist dorsiflexion (-27.32 vs -9.03°, p = 0.01), less final elbow flexion (39.49 vs 60.81, p = 0.03), and greater ROM in both the wrist (27.48 vs 14.01, p = 0.02), and elbow (20.45 vs 12.87, p = 0.04). Wrist deviation and arm pronation were not associated with bladder penetration. Compared with attendings, residents had more ROM in elbow flexion (14.61 vs 8.35°, p < 0.01), but less ROM in wrist dorsiflexion (13.31 vs 20.33, p = 0.02) and arm pronation (4.75 vs 38.46, p < 0.01). Bladder penetration during MUS is associated with wrist dorsiflexion and elbow flexion but not internal wrist deviation and arm supination. Attending surgeons exerted control with the wrist and forearm, surgical trainees with the elbow. Our findings have direct implications for MUS teaching.

The Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Education

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is an increasingly progressive field that aims to develop computer systems capable of producing inventive and creative content, including text, images, music, video, and audio, that closely resemble human-generated material. AI has significantly impacted education, with both positive and negative implications. While it has gained widespread popularity, it has also raised concerns about bias, misinformation, misuse, and risk, emphasising the need for the responsible implementation and development of generative AI in education. There have been discussions about whether it should be prohibited or whether teachers and students should receive adequate training to use it effectively and ethically. The purpose of AI in education should be to embrace the opportunities it presents while maintaining high academic standards. Renowned universities have developed guidelines and manuals for the responsible use of generative AI tools. This study examines the impact of generative AI on education, analysing its advantages and disadvantages in schools, its outcomes, and how teachers and students can use it for educational purposes. The study also emphasizes the effective use of AI in education, employing qualitative and quantitative methods to evaluate its usage. The results highlight the benefits and drawbacks of generative AI in education, concluding with recommendations and future applications of generative AI in education.

Affordances, translanguaging and the international preservice teacher

ABSTRACT Pedagogical translanguaging (TL) represents a contemporary and valuable instructional approach for bi/multilingual students. Researchers have identified the instructional practices and their affordances among bi/multilingual teachers who share a home language with their students, the dominant language used in the students’ home or community, and those who do not. However, research set in the United States into bilingual, international preservice teachers (PSTs) has not been forthcoming. This article reports on findings from two PSTs enrolled in a university practicum teaching course. One PST shares a home language, Spanish, with her students while the other, who is an international multilingual PST, does not. The aim of this research was to deepen an understanding of how each describes the affordances connected to pedagogical TL in their 15-week university practicum course and the connected practicum teaching experience. Data collection included interviews and weekly written assignments from the university course. Drawing on multi-case study design, findings revealed the ways that a linguistic repertoire, which included the ability to use Spanish, was instrumental in how they described the affordances related to pedagogical TL both in their classroom and in the connected practicum teaching site. Implications for teacher educators in multilingual education are given.

NEW TECHNOLOGIES AND FOREIGN LANGUAGE LEARNING: TRANSFORMING LANGUAGE EDUCATION

This article explores the transformative impact of new technologies on foreign language learning and its implications for language education. With the rise of globalization, proficiency in multiple languages has become increasingly valuable. The advent of online language learning platforms, virtual reality and augmented reality technologies, mobile applications, and language exchange communities has revolutionized language education. These technologies offer learners convenient access to resources, personalized instruction, immersive experiences, and opportunities for real-world practice. However, challenges such as the digital divide and the need for human interaction in language learning must be addressed. Looking to the future, the integration of artificial intelligence and machine learning holds great potential for further advancements in language education, fostering a world where language barriers are effortlessly overcome.

Canadian social workers’ attitudes toward immigrants with different legal statuses in Canada

Summary This study contributes to the ongoing efforts to address systemic inequality within social work by examining Canadian social workers’ attitudes toward immigrants who are permanent residents (PR), refugees, temporary residents (TR), or undocumented immigrants. Using a cross-sectional design with a convenience sample (n = 653), we explore how social workers’ attitudes toward immigrants vary in relation to (a) respondents’ demographics, (b) contact with immigrants, (c) perceptions of equal opportunities among immigrants, (d) perceptions of deservingness for immigrants with different legal statuses, and (e) the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on these attitudes. Findings While Canadian social workers generally express positive attitudes toward immigrants, there is a slightly stronger endorsement for PR and refugees to access public services compared to nonstatus (NS) immigrants and TR. Social workers who identify as conservative or have limited contact with immigrants are more likely to perceive NS immigrants as potential criminal threats or burdens on the healthcare system. Significantly, a majority of respondents feel that their social work training inadequately prepares them to work effectively with immigrants. Applications Canadian social workers advocate for principles of diversity, inclusion, and commitment to social justice. However, perceptions regarding which immigrants deserve access to social services vary based on legal status, suggesting a limitation in social workers’ professional mandate. The study discusses implications for social work education and training, emphasizing the need to address and unsettle systemic racism within the profession.

An investigation of academic resilience, resilience, and empathy in pharmacy students: Implications for pharmacy education

Background: Resilience supports pharmacists and students in thriving in challenging healthcare and academic environments. Empathy is necessary to provide patient-centred care. Knowledge of how these attributes influence pharmacy students is limited, and correlations between academic resilience, empathy, and academic success continue to be explored. Methods: This study explores the relationships between levels of academic resilience, resilience, and empathy with the academic achievements of pharmacy students at a Malaysian university. Participants were pharmacy students enrolled from 2020/2021 to 2022/2023. Academic resilience was assessed using the Academic-Pharmacy-Resilience-Scale-16, resilience through the Brief-Resilience-Scale, and empathy with the Kiersma-Chen Empathy-Scale. Scores were related to students’ academic grades. Both descriptive and inferential statistical methods were utilised to analyse associations among variables. Results: Responses were received from 359 students. The levels of resilience of students were deemed to be moderate. Small, statistically significant variations were found in academic resilience scores across cohorts, resilience scores, and empathy scores in relation to gender. Academic resilience showed a correlation to academic grades. Conclusion: Academic resilience positively correlated with academic success and was positively influenced by work experience. Strengthening students’ resilience in pharmacy education may support their academic achievement, particularly during times of change like the COVID-19 pandemic.

Factors Affecting Entrepreneurial Intention of Higher Diploma Students in Hanoi-Vietnam

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to investigate the factors influencing the entrepreneurial intention (EI) of Higher Diploma (HD) students in Hanoi, Vietnam, addressing a notable gap in the literature regarding this specific demographic.   Design/methodology/approach: Surveys were conducted using both web-based platforms, such as Google Forms, and distributed questionnaires. In total, 411 valid responses from HD students in Hanoi were collected. A convenient sampling method is utilized, considering the distribution of students across various demographic variables to ensure the reliability and representativeness of the study. The Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) was employed. Multiple regression in SPSS is used to analyze the collected data.   Results and discussions: The analysis results unveiled that all scrutinized factors, including Attitude Toward Behavior, Perceived Behavioral Control, Subjective Norm, Entrepreneurial Self-Efficacy, Closer Valuation, and Social Valuation, exerted a positive and substantial influence on HD students' Entrepreneurial Intention (EI). Notably, the six factors collectively accounted for 40.6% of the variance in entrepreneurial intention observed among the respondents.   Research Implications: The findings hold valuable implications for policymakers, educators, and stakeholders, guiding the development of targeted interventions aimed at fostering entrepreneurship among HD students. By leveraging these insights, they can design tailored initiatives to promote entrepreneurship, potentially leading to enhanced economic development in Vietnam.   Originality/Value: The findings provide valuable insights for educators, policymakers, and stakeholders involved in entrepreneurship education and support programs, helping them tailor interventions to effectively cultivate an entrepreneurial mindset among HD students. Furthermore, the study adds to the broader understanding of the psychological and social factors that shape entrepreneurial intentions, contributing to the advancement of knowledge in the field of entrepreneurship research.

The impact of data-driven learning form-focused tasks on learners’ task engagement: An intervention study

Abstract Data-driven learning (DDL) form-focused tasks are a relatively new concept. These tasks involve using concordance lines to teach language in a way that integrates discovery learning, authentic language use, consciousness-raising, and the communicative use of language. Given their novelty, there haven’t been many studies on how they impact learners’ engagement. Therefore, this study sought to study whether DDL form-focused tasks influence English as a foreign language (EFL) learners’ task engagement. A total of 114 Iranian EFL learners were randomly divided between comparison and intervention groups in a study that utilized an experimental (comparison group, pretest, and post-test) design within a sequential explanatory mixed-methods design. The comparison group completed 10 non-DDL form-focused tasks, whereas the intervention group completed 10 DDL form-focused tasks. The results of t-tests and repeated-measures ANOVA indicated that incorporating DDL form-focused tasks into English classes enhanced EFL learners’ task engagement in the short run. However, the impact of DDL form-focused tasks on EFL learners’ task engagement was not durable. Moreover, analyzing semi-structured interview data suggested that using DDL-enhanced tasks with a form-focused approach increases EFL learners’ task engagement by triggering their curiosity, improving their autonomy, enhancing their concentration and interest, and facilitating their discovery learning. The present study lends more credence to the application of such tasks. The paper ends with implications for English language teaching and materials development.

Confronting well-being and mental health in the ‘therapeutic university’: implications for educators, students and the curriculum

ABSTRACT This is a conceptual paper that examines the emergence of the ‘therapeutic university’ and considers its potential implications for policy and practice in Higher Education (HE). Concern over the well-being and mental health of university students both in the United Kingdom (UK) and internationally has recently intensified in media, academic and political spheres, to the extent that Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) are increasingly offering a diverse range of ad-hoc initiatives and practices based on the language and techniques of an equally diverse popular psychology. An emotionally oriented ‘therapeutic university’ (TU) is emerging from a complex intertwining of policies of social liberalism, specifically widening participation, and policies of economic liberalism which seek to cultivate the higher education (HE) sector as a competitive marketplace. While the TU might appear to offer the potential to alleviate mental health conditions, these therapeutic practices are frequently conceived as self-evidently good and rarely subjected to any critical scrutiny. This article explores three inter-related sets of concerns regarding the implications of the TU for educators, students and the curriculum and, through an exploratory account, illustrates these trends from our own lived experiences of working within a TU. Framed by insights from critical pedagogy, we critically analyse the current well-being agenda in the British HE sector and how this positions educators as ‘agents of well-being’ rather than ‘agents of criticality’.

Language choice and code-switching in bilingual children’s interaction under multilingual contexts: evidence from Mandarin-English bilingual preschoolers

ABSTRACT Language choice and code-switching are commonplaces for peer interaction among bilingual children from various language backgrounds in Hong Kong. However, few studies concern these linguistic practices of immigrant children proficient in Mandarin and English. This study adopted a qualitative research approach to investigate three Mandarin-English preschoolers’ language choice and code-switching by analyzing their conversations in interaction with a Cantonese–English bilingual peer under the framework of translanguaging. The findings reveal that these Mandarin-English preschoolers’ priority language for interaction is English, indicating that choosing a shared language is an essential communicative strategy for integrating with their Cantonese–English peers. The factors for those language choices include social environment, interlocutor’s ability, and sense of identity and belonging. Both inter-sentential and intra-sentential code-switching are adopted in verbal interaction. However, intra-sentential code-switching occurs more frequently and with greater diversity in Mandarin-based sentences, where nouns are the most easily switched component, followed by verbs and adjectives. This study enriches the study of bilingual children in Hong Kong, extends the application of translanguaging to peer interaction outside the classroom in multilingual contexts, and provides pedagogic implications.

Demetriou’s tests and levels of algebraic abilities and proportional reasoning in seventh, eighth, and ninth grades

Developing algebraic thinking is a key factor in learning mathematics. Despite its importance, many students still struggle with algebraic concepts. This research investigates students’ achievements in algebraic thinking using Demetriou’s test across 7&lt;sup&gt;th&lt;/sup&gt; (approximately 12-13 years old), 8&lt;sup&gt;th&lt;/sup&gt; (approximately 13-14 years old), and 9&lt;sup&gt;th&lt;/sup&gt; (approximately 14-15 years old) grades. The study analyzes performance in different levels of algebraic tasks (i.e., [1] extrapolation of relationships, [2] coordinating simple structures, [3] operating with undefined symbolic structures, and [4] coordination with undefined structures), revealing a significant developmental leap in algebraic abilities during the 9&lt;sup&gt;th&lt;/sup&gt; grade. While no statistically significant differences were found in the first level, 9&lt;sup&gt;th&lt;/sup&gt; grade students demonstrated superior performance in levels 2, 3, and 4, suggesting cognitive readiness for abstract algebraic concepts around the age of 14. The research unveils a disjointed development in algebraic abilities, indicating a progression from basic arithmetic operations to proportional reasoning before the full integration of algebraic thinking. Notably, tasks involving variables in the third level pose persistent challenges for students. The findings contribute to understanding the optimal age for introducing algebraic concepts and underscore the importance of considering cognitive development in mathematics education. The study proposes implications for educators, such as emphasizing proportional reasoning in earlier grades and employing differentiated instruction based on individual students’ abilities.

“The results might not fully represent…”: Negation in the limitations sections of doctoral theses by Chinese and American students

Abstract The ability to achieve social interaction is both a key feature of research writing and an important aspect of advanced academic literacy. It can be seen in how doctoral students employ rhetorical resources to acknowledge limitations in thesis writing while securing a positive view of the research. Negation is one of the crucial interactional options, but less explored in English for Academic Purposes (EAP) literature. In this study, we drew on the appraisal theory to see negation as a disclaim marker that engaged with alternative positions and employed corpus analysis to examine the forms and functions of negation in the ‘limitations’ section of doctoral theses. To better understand how student writers exploit negation to achieve the rhetorical end, we further explored co-articulations of negation with other appraisal resources. A corpus-based analysis of 100 doctoral theses by Chinese and American doctoral students in applied linguistics showed that American students made significantly more use of negation, especially pairing negation with engagement and graduation resources. We attribute the difference to genre and culture norms and also raise pedagogical implications on the cultivation of students’ rhetorical awareness and the classroom teaching of research writing.

Toward a Multilingual Perspective on Reading: Aligning Emergent Bilinguals' Resources with Theories of Reading and Implications for Instruction

AbstractThis article puts forth a multilingual perspective on reading to counter the prevailing monolingualism that dominates reading instruction. First, it brings theories together to develop a cohesive understanding of teaching reading with emergent bilinguals at the center. Second, it illuminates ways educators can design reading instruction, which is responsive to and normalizes emergent bilinguals' resources. In taking up a multilingual perspective of reading, educators have a challenge and opportunity to engage in intellectual and practical work to ensure emergent bilinguals' strengths are at the center of reading instruction.

Epistemic networks and the social nature of public engagement with science

AbstractThis theoretical paper focuses on the social processes of public engagement with science and their implications for science education. The core of our argument is that science education should help people become better at evaluating, using, and curating their epistemic networks to make personal and civic decisions and to understand the natural world. In this context, an epistemic network is a set of people who support sensemaking by providing new information and aiding in the interpretation and reconstruction of scientific knowledge in context. We believe epistemic networks are an important consideration for science education, particularly when misinformation plays an outsized role in the cultural landscape. Understanding when epistemic networks are useful and how science education should incorporate them requires a clear sense of how they work in different contexts. We start by contrasting the inevitably social nature of all public engagement with science with the particularly social or interpersonal nature of some public engagement with science. We draw on research from education, communication, and science and technology studies to develop the idea of an epistemic network and to describe two basic types: the individual resource network and the collective action network. We illustrate each type with an extended example that is hypothetical but informed by both research and experience. Finally, we discuss how science education can incorporate epistemic networks, as well as the challenges inherent in that educational strategy.

Tensions in Teaching Chinese International Students: A Self-Study of Cultural Competence in an Educational Foundations Course

ABSTRACT This collaborative self-study chronicled the evolution of our foundations of education course over three semesters as we attempted to make it more inclusive of our Chinese international students’ beliefs and lived experiences. Rooted in frameworks centered on intercultural competence and teacher educator tensions, an analysis of reflective journals and discussions about our experiences teaching Chinese international students revealed messages of cultural minimization within our course as well as tension between our democratic beliefs and acceptance of cultural difference. From this analysis, we made several curricular-instructional changes to our course. Interviews with students who experienced the changes revealed our (need for continued) growth as culturally competent teacher educators. The study offers implications for teacher educators and demonstrates the necessity of self-study in helping teachers of educational foundations realize its democratic promise.

“HEGA”: the Basque version of the PaBiQ parental questionnaire, for clinicians and educators working in the Basque multilingual environment

In this paper, we investigate the relevance of using a parental questionnaire (HEGA) to gather information on children’s language experience in Basque and early language development in order to better interpret language performance in that language. Both this questionnaire and use of language assessment in Basque are needed in the Basque Country, where multilingualism is well attested. The questionnaire was developed after the PaBiQ with additional questions meant to reflect the Basque context, notably its schooling linguistic model. The HEGA was administered to the parents of 186 bilingual children of the Northern Basque Country (age 4;2–9;1) whose language skills in Basque were assessed via a new test battery targeting different linguistic domains (HIGA). Several significant correlations were found between exposure to, and use of Basque and performance in lexical and morphosyntactic production and comprehension. Mixed-effect regression analyses revealed that language experience in Basque, and particularly the fact of being schooled entirely in Basque, were strong predictors of lexical and morphosyntactic outcomes. In contrast, phonological performance, as measured by nonword repetition, appeared to be less impacted by language experience in Basque. Finally, two children were identified as being at risk of language impairment, due to low language performance in Basque despite extended language experience. These results have important implications for clinicians and educators, in particular for detecting language difficulties in Basque-speaking bilingual children. They also show the need for assessing language abilities in Basque for children growing up in a solid Basque-speaking environment.

Second Language Learning Difficulty of Chinese Grammar: A Rasch Analysis of Teachers’ Perceptions

Abstract This study examined second language (L2) learning difficulty of 13 Chinese grammatical constructions on the basis of teachers’ perceptions and associated the L2 learning difficulty of Chinese grammatical constructions with teacher-perceived learner grammatical competence and with the instructional levels. A total of 77 experienced teachers were invited to rate the learning difficulty of 13 Chinese grammatical constructions with reference to L2 learners at four instructional levels at college. Utilizing the Rasch rating scale model, this study established an L2 Chinese grammar learning difficulty hierarchy and revealed that the learning difficulty hierarchy mostly overlapped with the acquisitional order of Chinese grammar found in L2 Chinese research and with the instructional order in a widely used Chinese textbook. This study enriches our understanding of the multifaceted nature of L2 learning difficulty and the idiosyncratic learning difficulty and pattern associated with each Chinese grammatical construction in L2 development. Implications for Chinese instruction, material development, and assessment are provided.

E-peer feedback training on L2 writing: A case study of inexperienced learners

Online peer feedback has been widely applied to teaching L2 writing because of its potential benefits. Accordingly, training is one of the prominent factors contributing to the effectiveness of the activity, especially for inexperienced learners. Acknowledging this significant issue, the current study aims to develop a specific online peer feedback training for inexperienced learners based on their performance naturally during the online peer feedback process, followed by an assessment of its effectiveness. Using the qualitative method design that draws upon the sources of data, including students’ online written comments (Google Docs), oral feedback (Zoom recorded), observations, their drafts, and their reflections and responses through semi-structured interviews, this study presents an in-depth analysis of students’ performance toward peer feedback (without training), how the training is developed, and the impacts of training on the students’ practice. Finally, the study discusses pedagogical implications regarding the instructions and training for online peer feedback in teaching L2 writing, which can be applicably adapted for similar EFL or ESL contexts and learner backgrounds.

Pesantren Resistance to Indonesia's National Curriculum to Defend Its Curriculum Model

Purpose: This article explores the challenges faced by pesantren (Islamic boarding schools) in Indonesia in reconciling the national curriculum with their traditional religious education while preserving their identity.   Methods: The research employed a qualitative approach, utilizing multiple case studies conducted in two pesantren in Indonesia. The study involved observations, interviews, and documentation collected from January to December 2023.   Result and Conclusion: The findings reveal a contestation between the national curriculum and the curriculum offered by pesantren. While many pesantren have integrated formal education, they exhibit resistance by focusing on Islamic teachings and values. Pesantren often modify the national curriculum to align with their religious identity. This study underscores the complexity of integrating formal education with pesantren's values and emphasizes the necessity of an inclusive approach from the government to ensure the relevance of education. Furthermore, it highlights pesantren's resistance to the dominance of the national curriculum, reflecting tensions between the government's modernization agenda and the traditional values upheld by pesantren.   Research Implications: This research contributes to understanding the dynamics between formal education and traditional Islamic education within Indonesia's pesantren context. It sheds light on the challenges pesantren face in maintaining their identity while conforming to national educational standards. The findings have implications for policymakers, educators, and stakeholders involved in shaping the educational landscape of Indonesia.   Originality/ Value: This study offers original insights into the interaction between the national curriculum and pesantren's curriculum, which have not been extensively explored in existing literature. This research contributes to a deeper understanding of educational dynamics in Indonesia by examining pesantren's responses to government policies and state control. Additionally, it underscores the significance of preserving the unique identity of pesantren amidst efforts to modernize the educational system.