Learning Opportunities Research Articles

Teachers’ Views on the Integration of Information and Communication Technology in the Teaching of Slovene (First Language) in Primary School

<p style="text-align:justify">Information and Communication Technology (ICT) brings modern learning approaches, forms and methods to education, and with them new opportunities for learning and teaching. The use of ICT in the classroom motivates students, enables them to participate, provides individualisation and differentiation, interactivity, and encourages creativity and critical thinking. Teachers play a very important role in this, as they are the ones who can provide students with a stimulating learning environment, including through the use of ICT. As Slovene (first language) is the subject with the most teaching hours in public primary schools in the Republic of Slovenia, we conducted an empirical study on the views of general and subject teachers of Slovene (N = 190) on the integration of information and communication technology in teaching. Teachers’ opinions were investigated through quantitative research. We found that teachers frequently use ICT in Slovene lessons, namely for repeating and consolidating learning material and for presenting new learning material, and that ICT is used most often in frontal forms of learning. Teachers mostly use LCD projectors, computers, interactive whiteboards, e-workbooks, audio recordings and videos. We also found that teachers are moderately satisfied with the available ICT equipment and e-materials, and that they feel moderately competent when it comes to using ICT in Slovene lessons. Teachers also used ICT during the COVID-19 epidemic. We also found that there are no statistically significant differences in the use of ICT between teachers teaching Slovene according to their teaching level, age and years of service.</p>

진학계 고교 영어과의 진로별 과목 분화 방안 연구

Objectives The purposes of this study is to develop career-differentiated English subject syllabus necessary to implement a career-differentiated curriculum in academic high school. Methods To achieve this, the researcher presented a career-differentiated design proposal for English subjects to 130 teachers who specialized in English or educational curriculum. The approach involved obtaining feedback from them and tentatively finalizing the design proposal based on their opinions. Results This study drew the following conclusions. Firstly, it is necessary to differentiate English subject according to career course and as the grade goes up, English subject can be further differentiated according to the courses that require specialization. Secondly, English subject should be differentiated according to its level and function. Lastly, in terms of course completion system, adopting large-scale unit system will be able the career-differ-entiated English curriculum to operate well. Based on these results, English subject syllabuses were developed for literacy course, science course, art course, and athletics course. Conclusions The developed career-differentiated English subject syllabus will provide students with learning op-portunities that align with their diverse career inclinations. Students will have the chance to experience in-depth learning tailored to the characteristics of English curriculum subjects, enabling them to make informed decisions about their career paths through the selection and completion of English courses.

팀 빌딩 비주얼 싱킹을 활용한 현대 소설 수업이 고등학교 남학생의 국어 수업에 미치는 영향

Objectives The purpose of this study is as follows. First, what perceptions do learners have about Korean language (modern novel) classes? Second, what are the responses of learners who have used team building visual thinking in all modern novel classes? Third, what is the effect of modern novel classes using team building visual thinking on learners' interest, confidence, attitude, and anxiety? The purpose of this study was to empirically verify the ef-fect on Korean language classes through the experience of modern novel classes using team building visual sink-ing for students in five classes in the second year of Y High School in Seoul. Methods The class was conducted for second-year students at Y High School in Seoul, data was collected through worksheets and questionnaires to analyze the results. The questionnaires were divided into a pre-test and a post-test after review by experts (one Korean language professor and two doctors of education), and a survey was conducted to examine the students' reactions to modern novel classes using team building visual thinking. The survey results were analyzed with descriptive statistics using SPSS 28.0, and open-ended questions and worksheets were analyzed. Results Team building visual thinking classes provided an opportunity for learners, who deeply understood the work, to express their thoughts and impressions visually and then communicate and share their opinions with oth-er learners. This enhanced learners' understanding of the novel while improving their creative thinking, expression skills, and teamwork skills. In addition, team building visual thinking was effective in increasing their learning mo-tivation, thereby making the classes more active. Conclusions Team building visual thinking classes helped build a collaborative learning environment through ac-tivities that team members do together, from idea visualization to idea sharing and feedback. This served as an opportunity to lay the foundation for teaching and learning that can actively respond to changes in education: digi-tal transformation. In particular, this study is significant in that it is a new attempt to utilize team building visual thinking in modern novel classes according to the 2022 Revised National Curriculum.

Teen participants’ experiences with a teen STEM café program

ABSTRACT It is important that teens are exposed to STEM education both through formal and informal learning opportunities. STEM cafés are an instance of the latter. Within an informal setting, teen science cafés can significantly enhance teens’ view of the importance of science in their lives, positively influencing teens’ understanding of science in the news and increasing their ability and confidence to use facts to support scientific points of view. Therefore, this study aimed to examine the perceived impacts of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) café events on teen participants (n = 68) because cafés are underutilized resources by teens despite having great potential to boost their STEM experiences. Since there is a limited body of literature on teen cafés, the findings of this study add to the small number of empirical studies that have examined the perceived impacts of teen science café programs on participants.

It takes a village

Digital textbooks now incorporate various technological enhancements, and offer many opportunities for learning and teaching in higher education. Despite some enthusiasm for this medium, lecturers tend not to integrate the extra activities into their courses preferring instead to simply have them available as optional extra activities for students. One reason for this barrier to use is the time and effort required to integrate technology into the curriculum in a meaningful way, and lecturers may feel they lack the necessary knowledge to do this effectively. Despite the existence of institutional support to assist educators with technology enhanced learning, the services don’t always align with what faculty want or need. As a result, there have been calls to improve staff training and professional development. This paper presents a theorised inquiry into educators’ reflections on the integration of digital textbooks using Mishra & Koehler’s TPACK framework as an underpinning theory. The findings suggest the need for training and support that is individualised to instructors’ specific needs, and allows for increased collaboration between various stakeholders. It is concluded that professional development that focusses on the development of TPACK, and operates within a collaborative and context-specific learning community could support the increased uptake of digital textbooks in higher education.

Dissecting through the decade: a 10-year cross-sectional analysis of interprofessional experiences in the anatomy lab

ABSTRACT Interprofessional education (IPE) is prioritized as a critical component in preparing pre-licensure health professional students for effective teamwork and collaboration in the workplace to facilitate patient-centered care. Knowledge in anatomy is fundamental for healthcare professionals, making interprofessional anatomy education an attractive intervention for IPE and anatomy learning. Since 2009, the Education Program in Anatomy at McMaster University has offered an intensive 10-week IPE Anatomy Dissection elective to seven health professional programs annually. From 2011, students were invited to complete the Readiness for Interprofessional Scale (RIPLS) and Interprofessional Education Perception Scale (IEPS) before and after the elective. A total of 264 students from 2011 to 2020 completed RIPLS and IEPS. There were significant differences before and after the elective in students’ total RIPLS scores and three of the four subscales: teamwork and collaboration, positive professional identity, and roles and responsibilities. Similarly, there were statistical differences in the total IEPS scores and two of three subscales: competency and autonomy and perceived actual cooperation. Statistically significant differences in RIPLS and IEPS total scores across several disciplines were also observed. This study demonstrates the elective’s impact in improving students’ IPE perceptions and attitudes, likely from the extended learning and exposure opportunity with other disciplines.

Online global collaboration

New teaching and learning approaches are emerging through the use of technology including online global collaboration. Educators involved in global collaboration forge external relationships with others beyond their immediate learning environment. They modify and adapt the curriculum to include global learning opportunities for their learners. Global collaboration provides opportunities for rich global, cognitive, social, cultural and life-changing experiences to their students. Online global collaboration broadly refers to geographically dispersed educators that use online technologies to learn with others beyond their immediate environment to support curricular objectives, intercultural understandings, critical thinking, personal, social and ICT capabilities. This paper will report some preliminary findings from an investigation into the perceptions of K-12 educators who facilitate global collaborative learning. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews that were then themed to identify the key affordances and inhibitors to online global collaboration. The paper will provide recommendations for global collaboration in teacher education.

How can entrepreneurial obstacles improve entrepreneurs’ psychological well-being? The role of emotional ambivalence

ABSTRACT Entrepreneurial obstacles present both threats to survival and opportunities for learning. By integrating the double-edged nature of obstacles into the evaluative space model of emotion, this study examines the effects of entrepreneurial obstacles on entrepreneurs’ emotional ambivalence and their psychological well-being. Through survey among 324 new ventures in China, we find that although entrepreneurial obstacle is directly detrimental to psychological well-being, it can also trigger entrepreneurs’ emotional ambivalence which has a U-shaped relationship with psychological well-being. Moreover, demand uncertainty increases entrepreneurs’ ambivalent emotional response to entrepreneurial obstacles. This study identifies a self-healing path between entrepreneurial obstacles and entrepreneurs’ psychological well-being.

Social accountability in a medical school: is it sufficient? A regional medical school curriculum and approaches to equip graduates for rural and remote medical services

BackgroundSocial accountability is increasingly integral to medical education, aligning health systems with community needs. Universitas Pattimura’s Faculty of Medicine (FMUP) enhances this through a curriculum that prepares graduates for rural and remote (RR) medical practice, exceeding national standards. The impact of this curriculum on graduate readiness in actual work settings remains unassessed.ObjectiveThis study was conducted to capture the perspectives of FMUP medical graduates in a rural-centric curriculum, focusing on the teaching and learning opportunities afforded to them during their medical education. These insights are crucial for evaluating the accountability of regional medical schools in delivering quality service, particularly in underserved areas.MethodsSemistructured interviews were conducted with nine FMUP graduates employed in the RR areas of Maluku Province. A qualitative analysis was employed to examine graduates’ views on the curriculum concerning medical school accountability.ResultsThe FMUP curriculum, informed by social accountability principles, partially prepares graduates to work under Maluku’s RR conditions. However, it was reported by participants that their skills and preparedness often fall short in the face of substandard working environments.ConclusionsThe FMUP curriculum supports the government’s aim to develop an RR medical workforce. However, the curriculum’s social accountability and rural emphasis fall short of addressing community health needs amid inadequate practice conditions. Political investment in standardizing medical facilities and equipment is essential for enhancing graduates’ effectiveness and health outcomes in RR communities.

Understanding Clinical Learning Quality Aspects in Mental Health Nursing Practice Course among Students: A Comprehensive Examination

There is a growing demand for comprehensive evaluations of the clinical learning quality of nursing education and the necessity to establish robust predictors and mediators for enhancing its outcomes within the context of mental health practice. This study is threefold: 1. Evaluating nursing students’ clinical learning quality before and after mental health nursing practice; 2. Establish if the grade of a theoretical course in mental health nursing and the student’s perception of their theoretical knowledge level predicts the grade of mental health nursing practice; 3. Explore how model learning opportunities, self-directed learning, safety, and nursing care quality mediate learning environment quality and tutorial strategies quality following mental health nursing practice. Using a before and after the study, 107 undergraduate nursing students at an Israeli university completed a questionnaire and the Clinical Learning Quality Evaluation Index tool to assess their perceptions of clinical learning quality before and after mental health nursing practice. The results showed a decline in students’ perceptions of tutorial strategy quality following mental health practical learning in clinical settings, with the theoretical course grade predicting the practical experience grade and underscoring the mediating role of learning opportunities between the learning environment and tutorial strategies. The study’s findings emphasize the importance of an adaptive learning environment and a solid theoretical foundation in fostering effective tutorial strategies and enhancing the overall learning outcomes for nursing students in mental health education.

Harnessing Artificial Intelligence for Women Empowerment and Work-Life Balance Enhancement in Management

This research article explores the potential of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in empowering women in various aspects of life, particularly in management and work-life balance. AI offers a plethora of opportunities to support women's empowerment, and this study highlights several ways in which AI can contribute to their advancement. By offering flexible and affordable learning opportunities, AI can empower women to acquire new skills and knowledge, enabling them to pursue fulfilling careers and leadership roles. In the healthcare sector, AI-powered solutions can improve access to healthcare for women in remote or disadvantaged regions. AI-driven diagnostics and virtual health aides enable early detection of health issues, facilitating prompt and effective treatment. In the workplace, AI can help identify trends in gender inequality, wage discrepancies, and other injustices. Armed with these insights, employers can take specific actions to promote a diverse and inclusive workplace, offering women equal opportunities to advance in their careers. Furthermore, AI-powered personal assistants can assist women in managing their daily responsibilities and schedules effectively, facilitating a better work-life balance. Additionally, AI-powered security and surveillance systems can enhance workplace and public safety, contributing to a safer environment for women to commute, work, and interact. AI can also play a vital role in promoting social change and advocacy for women's rights and gender equality. In times of crisis and humanitarian contexts, AI can offer support in disaster response, resource allocation, and medical aid, catering to the unique challenges women may face in such situations. This research article emphasizes the importance of women's empowerment in society and how AI can act as a catalyst for positive change. By leveraging AI's capabilities while prioritizing the well-being and equality of women, this study seeks to create a more inclusive and empowering environment for women in management and beyond

Transitioning to blended learning during COVID‐19: Exploring instructors and adult learners' experiences in three Ghanaian universities

AbstractTeaching and learning in higher education have increasingly become digitalized and associated with innovative pedagogical methodologies over the past decades. Following the sudden onset of the pandemic in March 2020, several studies tended to focus on traditional students' experiences with emergency remote education while literature is scarce on non‐traditional students (or adult learners) pedagogical experiences in Distance Education contexts. Using a qualitative case study approach, this study explored how digital technologies mediated instructors' and adult learners' educational experiences during COVID‐19 and their first‐time experiences with blended learning. Between October 2021 and July 2022, semi‐structured interviews were conducted with 40 adult learners and 20 instructors in three selected public higher education institutions (HEIs) in Ghana. Data analysis followed Braun and Clarke's (2012) thematic analysis approach. The results showed that the transition to blended learning was supported by the adoption and integration of varied virtual online technologies. The themes highlight the positive and negative impacts of technology in mediating the educational experiences of instructors and adult learners in blended learning environments. The themes which reflected both instructors' and adult learners' experiences were enhanced course delivery and pedagogy, competency development, technological issues and poor‐quality pedagogy. Blended learning facilitated by technology could be the ‘new normal learning’ post‐pandemic for adult learners pursuing Distance Education in Ghana. The study recommends the implementation of agile strategies and policies by HEIs to ensure sustainable quality education in distance learning. Practitioner notesWhat is already known about this topic The COVID‐19 pandemic necessitated the adoption of innovative pedagogical approaches in higher education contexts. Technological transformations in information and communication technology (ICT) have enhanced remote teaching in higher education institutions globally. The educational experiences of educators and learners differ in blended learning contexts. What this paper adds Instructors and adult learners' positive experiences with navigating a variety of web‐based technologies during the educational process are negatively impacted by technological difficulties during online instruction. Participants' experiences of blended learning are mixed with a preference for face‐to‐face dimension of blended learning instead of the online dimension. The paper identifies four themes that characterize instructors and adult learners' experiences with technology‐enhanced learning including enhanced course delivery and pedagogy, competency development, technological issues and poor‐quality pedagogy. Implications for practice and/or policy The study provides evidence‐based information on the relevance of digitizing distance education for sustainable development and promotion of lifelong learning opportunities for distance education students. The research recommends that higher education institutions (HEIs) implement agile policies to facilitate a seamless shift to distance learning. HEIs may adopt open distance learning frameworks to streamline 21st century pedagogical and learning practices in distance‐blended learning environments for quality course instruction. The study highlights the potential distance learning modalities that HEIs can consider for Distance Education students to sustain effective quality teaching and learning.

Optimizing Project-Based Learning in Developing 21st Century Skills: A Future Education Perspective

Many studies show that the effectiveness of project-based learning in the perspective of future education is influenced by 21st century skills. This can be a support to solve any problems faced by students in learning. Therefore, it is important for students to improve 21st century skills as a guide to equip themselves to prepare for the life to come. The purpose of this research is to optimize project-based learning in developing 21st century skills. Creating a new innovation in the perspective of increasingly sophisticated future education, helping students develop more complex and in-depth thinking skills so that it can provide an effective solution related to all forms of challenges that occur in the world of education. The method used in this research is quantitative method. The steps are to make statements related to tips for improving 21st century skills from the perspective of future education. Then formulated into a google form and filled in by middle and high school students. Then the data is collected and then inputted and processed using the spss application. The truth of the data can be proven by the statements made on the google form which are adjusted to the facts that occur in students. Results. Based on effective observation, it is found that 21st century skills play an important role in today's modern learning process. Skills that can equip every student to prepare themselves and realize all forms of life demands that change according to the times. The conclusion of this research is that teachers are advised to understand more about 21st century skills, in order to teach students how to adapt to increasing technological changes, so as to expand learning opportunities and enrich students' learning experiences through skills practiced by teachers.

Examining students' acceptance of the large‐scale HyFlex course: An empirical study

AbstractThe HyFlex course has been widely adopted in higher education settings. However, there is a paucity of empirical studies examining students' acceptance of large‐scale HyFlex courses, as well as factors influencing their acceptance. To fill this research gap, the present study investigated students' acceptance of a large‐scale HyFlex course and the variations in their acceptance according to different participation modes (ie, on‐site, synchronously online and mixed attendance), based on a total of 160 valid samples from a large‐scale HyFlex course at a normal university in central China during the fall semester of 2022. The results indicated that students' overall HyFlex course acceptance was generally high, and the students who alternately engaged in on‐site and synchronously online learning had the highest level of acceptance. Furthermore, this study employed structural equation modelling to validate a model integrating the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology with connected classroom climate (CCC). The findings showed that performance expectancy (PE), effort expectancy, facilitating conditions and CCC directly influenced students' acceptance, with performance expectancy having the strongest direct effect. However, social influence only had an indirect effect on students' acceptance, while CCC had both direct and indirect effects. This study carries substantial theoretical and practical implications, enhancing our understanding of students' acceptance of the HyFlex learning approach.Practitioner notesWhat is already known about this topic The adoption of the HyFlex course, especially in the context of large‐scale courses, is prevalent in higher education settings. Existing studies have predominately focused on assessing the impact of HyFlex course on student engagement and learning outcomes, the development and implementation of HyFlex course structures, and educators' perspectives and experiences with HyFlex courses. Although some research has delved into students' satisfaction with HyFlex courses, particularly in small class settings, our understanding of students' acceptance of large‐scale HyFlex course remains limited. There has been a noticeable gap in investigations exploring distinctions among students who opt for varying HyFlex course delivery modes, such as on‐site, synchronously online and mixed attendance formats. What this paper adds This study reveals that students generally displayed a high level of acceptance towards the large‐scale HyFlex course. Notably, students who participated in alternating on‐site and synchronously online learning exhibited a significantly higher level of acceptance towards the HyFlex course compared to their counterparts. A novel approach was employed in this study by integrating the UTAUT model with the concept of connected classroom climate (CCC) to comprehensively explore the key influencing factors and their interrelationships regarding students' acceptance of a large‐scale HyFlex course. The study found that performance expectancy (PE), effort expectancy (EE), facilitating conditions (FC) and CCC were all significant factors that positively influenced students' acceptance of the HyFlex course. Particularly, PE emerged as the factor with the strongest direct impact on HyFlex course acceptance (ACP). Interestingly, social influence (SI) did not exhibit a significant direct effect on students' ACP. However, it had a significant and positive indirect effect on students' ACP through the mediation of PE. Furthermore, CCC was shown to have both direct and indirect effects on students' acceptance of the HyFlex course, with the indirect effect of CCC on ACP accounted for nearly half of the total effect. Implications for practice and/or policy Instructors should prioritize emphasizing the advantages and benefits of HyFlex courses to enhance students' motivation and willingness to participate actively in these courses. This may involve showcasing how HyFlex course offer flexibility, convenience and varied learning opportunities. When implementing HyFlex courses, instructors should work to mitigate students' perceived EE. This could be achieved through streamlining course navigation, ensuring user‐friendly technology tools and providing clear guidelines for participation. Simultaneously, efforts should be made to enhance perceived learning support to facilitate students' engagement and acceptance of HyFlex courses. Instructors in HyFlex course settings should place a strong emphasis on creating a supportive and collaborative learning environment. This involves fostering interactions among students, encouraging peer‐to‐peer support and providing resources and guidance to help students navigate the challenges and opportunities presented by HyFlex course formats. Building a sense of community and connectedness among students can significantly impact their acceptance and success in such courses.

Unraveling the synergy: how organizational intelligence fuel soft skills and nurses’ thriving: a cross-sectional study

AimInvestigate the influence of organizational intelligence on the development of soft skills and the overall thriving of nurses at Alexandria Main University Hospital in Egypt.DesignA cross-sectional descriptive design following STROBE guidelines examined the relationship between organizational intelligence, soft skills, and nurses’ thriving.Methods and toolsData were collected from 740 nurses working across critical care units using structured questionnaires. The questionnaires assessed organizational intelligence, soft skills, and thriving at work. Sociodemographic characteristics, including age, gender, education, and nursing experience, were also collected. Statistical analyses were used to analyze the data, including ANOVA, t-tests, Pearson correlation, and stepwise regression.ResultsThe findings revealed nurses’ positive perceptions of organizational culture and documentation skills. However, areas such as measures and rewards and staff relations and communication indicated opportunities for improvement. Nurses reported high vitality levels but needed more learning opportunities at work. Significant correlations were found between demographic variables, organizational intelligence, soft skills, and thriving. Organizational intelligence demonstrated a robust positive relationship with both soft skills and thriving. Age, gender, education, and experience significantly influenced nurses’ soft skills and thriving.ConclusionThe study highlights the importance of organizational intelligence in enhancing nurses’ professional capabilities and well-being. Addressing demographic factors and fostering a supportive work environment is crucial for optimizing nursing practice and organizational effectiveness.Nursing implicationsInsights from this study can inform targeted interventions and policy decisions to enhance nursing practice, organizational development, and healthcare outcomes in Egypt. Fostering organizational intelligence and soft skills among nurses can improve patient care, increase job satisfaction, and overall organizational success.

The Case for Multidisciplinary Frameworks for Developing Effective Solutions to Complex Human Problems: An Illustration Based on Development Education, Corporate Social Responsibility and Social Marketing

Education, especially development education (DE), and a number of socially focused disciplines, including corporate social responsibility (CSR) and social marketing (SM), have long been targeted by policy makers for deriving advice on the ‘wisdom’ of levelling up differences and addressing sources of disadvantages at individual, group and/or regional levels. Additionally, the combined wisdom of such disciplines can also be a great source of advice to effectively address perennial universal problems. This paper is conceptual in nature with a multidisciplinary outlook. It contrasts DE, CSR and SM, with the view to deriving common grounds as well as strengths and areas for further development that can produce more comprehensive explanations and solutions to social problems. Such inclusive, more comprehensive explanations would help advise social-cause-focused workers, including researchers, learners and policy makers, about how each discipline can contribute to the resolution of multifaceted problems, the so-called ‘wicked problems’, that each discipline may not be fully equipped to address. The method of analysis used is an adjusted version of critical discourse analysis. It is used to explore the disciplines at four levels, namely definitional, philosophical, methodological and performance levels, thus giving a comprehensive view of each discipline’s nature, philosophical outlook, methodology and perceived efficacy in achieving its aims. The derived arguments also benefitted from comments provided by seven experienced representatives from the three disciplines. Overall, the outcomes suggest a relative maturity of critical ability in DE but also more effective and efficient methodological and evaluative perspectives in CSR and SM. Although the outcome of the analysis is open for debate, it nevertheless suggests several opportunities for mutual learning at all four levels. The paper suggests a novel integrated ‘supra-level’ framework that may help workers, in these three areas of knowledge, gain valuable insights from each of the three disciplines and highlight valuable opportunities for capitalising on their respective strengths.

The impact of ChatGPT on learners in English academic writing: opportunities and challenges in education

Abstract This study attempts to explore the impact of ChatGPT on EFL learners’ English writing and how this benefits from it. The three research objectives are to explore the reasons why EFL learners choose to use ChatGPT for their academic English writing, to examine how it affects EFL learners’ academic English writing and define the challenges and opportunities for EFL learners using ChatGPT as an academic English writing tool. This study employed semi-structured and open-ended interviews to collect qualitative data. By thematic analysis, we found that EFL learners use ChatGPT for their academic English writing as it is convenient and caters to their needs. It also assists them since it scaffolds literacy in terms of writing fluency, content, and knowledge. Challenges for learners include: 1) possible academic plagiarism and a lack of critical thinking due to their over-reliance on the information provided by ChatGPT; 2) bias in English academic writing from the English-dominant context and pressure to pay; 3) considering and scrutinizing the authenticity of information generated in academic contexts. With its ease of use and undeniable efficiency, ChatGPT has emerged as a revolutionary tool in the realm of language learning and academic writing. However, English learners should be cautious and reflect on using this AI tool, especially for academic writing purposes.

Can the spirit of motivational interviewing be taught online? A comparative study in general practitioners.

ObjectiveMotivational Interviewing (MI) is an evidence-based approach to enhance patients' motivation and is increasingly in demand in medical practice. Online teaching methods offer advantages to train health care professionals, but only very few studies examined whether MI-specific interviewing skills (""MI-skills""), and especially MIspecific attitudes (the "MI-spirit"), can be taught online and whether learning gains differ from those in face-to-face courses. This study compared the effects of 7 h of basic training for experienced general practitioners (GP) in either an online or a traditional face-to-face format with a non-trained control group. Methods"MI-skills" and "MI-spirit" were measured in a prospective analysis in 49 experienced GPs before and one week after training ResultsAn ANOVA on gain-scores demonstrated significant differences between groups in both MI-specific skills (VASE-R, p = 0.006) and "MIspirit" (MIKAT, p = 0.029; HRQ, p < 0.001) from pre- to posttest. Post-hoc comparisons revealed significant improvement only in the training groups (VASE-R, p < 0.001; MIKAT, p = 0.014 for online, p = 0.003 for face-to-face; HRQ, p < 0.001). ConclusionThe results suggest similar effects of both online and face-to-face training of "MI-skills" and "MI-spirit" to GPs. Practice Implication: Online learning opportunities should be integrated in MIT programs for general practitioners where appropriate.

The Mixed Methods Treasure Hunt: Reflecting on the Legacy of Dr. Michael D. Fetters in Teaching Mixed Methods Research

This article aims to elevate the appreciation of Dr Michael D. Fetters’s contributions to mixed methods pedagogy by highlighting his innovative teaching methods called the “mixed methods treasure hunt.” Utilizing Vygotsky’s sociocultural theory, this paper provides a detailed examination of how Fetters’s legacy can be adapted and extended to Japan and beyond. It explores the efficacy of the mixed methods treasure hunt as a pedagogical tool, offering promising solutions for mixed methods research education. This paper contributes to the field by providing a practical methodology that bridges the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application and enhances learning opportunities, especially for mixed methods learners in the East Asian cultural context, thereby broadening the applicability and impact of Fetters’s legacy.

FEATURES AND POTENTIALS OF NON-FORMAL ADULT EDUCATION IN UKRAINIAN EDUCATIONAL ENVIRONMENT

The aim of the article ii to define features and potentials of non-formal adult education in Ukrainian educational environment that is focused on adult learners` development and motivation; effective change management; the challenge of real life adult learners can face; ability to prove adult learners can use knowledge to introduce themselves professionally and communicate effectively in everyday situations and work. General scientific methods such as analysis, synthesis and generalization of the scientific information on different theoretical approaches to the problem of non-formal adult education have been used. One of the most important tasks at the present stage of modernizing non-formal adult education in national teaching and learning process is to ensure teaching quality according to both national and international requirements as well as support adult learners in delivering successful learning preparing them for future challenges. This issue is partly a reaction to the rapid changes in technologies adult learners can see around and experience on a daily basis. Information technologies, effective tools and timely forehanded receiving of information are becoming essential and crucial factors in the teaching lifelong education process. There is a need to bring into focus the non-formal adult education process to improve the design and structure of adult learning opportunities. In this article, we address concepts and approaches, which are equipped with appropriate innovative-based effective tools in accordance with the latest requirements identifying key issues that emerge in non-formal adult education, introducing them as substantial elements of teachers’ professional competence and their effective use in lifelong education process. Particular attention is paid to the teacher`s role and significance in nonformal adult education making such a process more meaningful for adult learners.