Academic Perceptions Research Articles

Faculty Reflections of Pedagogical Transformation in Active Learning Classrooms

Increasingly, Active Learning Classrooms (ALCs) are being designed and built by higher education institutions to support instructors in adopting and implementing active learning pedagogies. In this study, we explore how instructors perceive changes in their teaching after teaching in ALCs. Our study focuses on the perceptions of faculty members who have completed a year-long professional development around teaching in ALCs. We conduct place-based interviews with nine such faculty members to examine their perceptions of their changing pedagogies of specific ALCs. Using thematic analysis, we categorized faculty’s perceptions of the affordances of ALCs for their teaching and student learning into three major themes: (1) ALCs afford visibility and instructor presence, (2) ALCs afford better feedback and apprenticeship, and (3) ALCs afford intimate conversations and student dialogue. Finally, we draw on data from the interviews to explicate each theme in turn before discussing commonalities and tensions among the themes. These three themes present an entry point for professional development designers, instructors, and other institutional stakeholders to understand how instructors orient active learning pedagogues to learning spaces.

Academic Stress and Emotional Well-Being in United States College Students Following Onset of the COVID-19 Pandemic.

COVID-19 has resulted in extraordinary disruptions to the higher education landscape. Here, we provide a brief report on 295 students’ academic perceptions and emotional well-being in late May 2020. Students reported the high levels of uncertainty regarding their academic futures as well as significant levels of stress and difficulty coping with COVID-19 disruptions. These outcomes were related to the higher levels of neuroticism and an external locus of control. Female students reported worse emotional well-being compared to males, and the students of color reported the significantly higher levels of stress and uncertainty regarding their academic futures compared to White students. These results suggest that some students may be at particular risk for academic stress and poor emotional well-being due to the pandemic and highlight the urgent need for intervention and prevention strategies.

Competing values at public universities: Organisational cultures and job demands‐resources in academic departments

AbstractDiverse influences on national higher education (HE) systems result in variability in organisational cultures in academic workplaces. We implemented the competing values model of organisational culture to explore the departmental cultures at Czech public universities and the workplace perceptions of academics from different cultures. The participants (n = 2,229) completed an electronic questionnaire including the Organizational Climate Measure (OCM) as an indicator of departmental culture. The OCM dimensions were processed by k‐means cluster analysis, with four emerging clusters in the competing values dimensions of internal–external orientation and low–high control. The clusters included self‐actualisation (internal/external, low control), collegial (internal/low control), performance, (external/high control), and fraternity (internal/high control). We argue that the resulting clusters draw from different models of HE governance that historically shaped Czech HE, including state‐controlled, market and academic self‐governance. Work environment variables related to academic leadership were most significant in distinguishing between the clusters, especially along the control dimension.

Perceptions of Academics on Real Estate Topics in Africa

Abstract This paper presents the perceptions of academics on real estate topics offered in Bachelors Real Estate (BRE) curricula in Africa. In order to understand the perceptions of academics on real estate topics, a survey of seven selected BRE curricula offered in different regions of Africa was conducted to determine important real estate topics academics included in the curricula. After analyzing the curricula, sorting and re-grouping the topics: Real estate management, Real estate valuation, Real estate economics, Real estate finance and investment, Real estate development, Real estate law, Real estate planning, Real estate research, Real estate industrial training and Real estate electives emerged to be important topics the academics considered to include in the curricula. The topics are in line with those expected in a real estate curriculum. In addition, results revealed that BRE curricula follow the interdisciplinary approach to real estate education. Findings will encourage universities in Africa and elsewhere to develop comprehensive real estate curricula or improve existing ones to accommodate the interdisciplinary approach and the international perspective of real estate education because of their benefits. The study will also support the harmonization of real estate education, practice, investment and business in Africa, hence contributing towards the economic development of the continent.

Utilizing the Blackboard Learning Management System at the University of Ha’il from the Perspective of Faculty Members using Internet Of Things (IOT)

The study aims to investigate the perceptions of faculty members in the preparatory year at the University of Ha’il concerning the use of the Blackboard learning management system, and to identify the impact of the study variables (gender, discipline, teaching language, and number of training courses) on the responses of the study sample members. A descriptive methodology has been used, as the study was applied to a sample of (123) faculty members, and to collect information, a questionnaire of (32) items was developed. The results of the study showed that the level of using the Blackboard at the University of Ha’il by faculty members was high. It indicated that there were no statistically significant differences due to gender. Moreover, the results revealed that there were no statistically significant differences (p=0.218) in the use of Blackboard based on the number of training courses, and that there were no statistically significant differences (p=0.390) in the use of Blackboard based on academic ranking.

Ineffectiveness Of Online Interactive Video Content Developed For Programming Education

In this study, the effects of interactive video usage in programming education on academic achievement and self-efficacy perception of programming were investigated by taking into account learning styles. The research was patterned according to causal-comparative model, and also, correlation analysis was performed for relationship research. Sixty-one students attending 3rd grade in Computer and Instructional Technology Education (CEIT) of Yıldız Technical University participated in the study. Research data were collected with “Interview form,” “Academic Achievement Test,” “self-efficacy scale for programming,” “learning styles index” and “interactive Video system.” ANCOVA, Correlation and Kruskal Wallis H-test were used in the analysis of the data. The data was analyzed on the computer with the SPSS package program. According to research findings, interactive video monitoring rates did not differ significantly in the students ' academic achievement and self-efficacy perceptions of programming. It was found that students ' learning style preferences had no impact on interactive video viewing rates. The relationship between the change in students ' academic achievement and the change in self-efficacy perception scores related to programming has been examined; as academic achievement increases, it has been concluded that the perception of self-efficacy about programming has fallen.

Nursing and paramedicine student and academic perceptions of the two phase debrief model: A thematic analysis

Simulation debriefing standards and models recommend simulation facilitators spend time debriefing learner feelings and clinical reasoning following the simulation scenario. Many debriefing models are available, more so in nursing than in paramedicine, however few models combine specific frameworks to debrief learner feelings and unpack cognitive decisions. The Two Phase Debrief model was designed to support debriefers to spend equal amounts of time debriefing learner felt reactions and clinical decision making, guided by specific tools and skills for each phase. Australian nursing and paramedicine students (n = 19) and academics (n = 9) evaluated the Two Phase Debrief model using a qualitative descriptive design. Analysis of focus group data revealed three themes: Valuing time for debrief, Valuing skills for debrief and Valuing emotions. Across the two disciplines, academics agreed learners would benefit from debriefing using Two Phase Debrief model but considered time a barrier. Nursing and paramedicine students felt the equal time spent exploring emotions and clinical reasoning contributed to a positive learning experience and that expert debriefers may not need disciplinary specific content knowledge. These and other findings discussed indicate there is more work needed to understand the appetite for and required skills of expert cross disciplinary simulation debriefing teams.

Patient centred care in diagnostic radiography (Part 3): Perceptions of student radiographers and radiography academics

IntroductionAwareness is growing of the importance of patient centered care (PCC) in diagnostic radiography. PCC is embedded within professional body publications and guidance documents, but there is limited research evidence exploring the perceptions of student radiographers and radiography academics. MethodsThis paper reports Stage 1 and Stage 2 of the project from the perspective of radiography academic and student radiographer participants, and compares these to the perspectives of service users, clinical radiographers and radiography managers reported previously. Stage 1 used an online survey tool to gauge participant agreement with a series of attitudinal statements. Stage 2 used situational vignettes to promote discussion and debate about PCC approaches. ResultsResponse rates to the Stage 1 survey were above the minimum threshold, with 50 responses from student radiographers and 38 responses from radiography academics. Stage 1 participants were asked to participate in Stage 2 on a voluntary basis. As with service users and service deliverers, care communication, event interactions and control over environment were the key influences on PCC. However, students highlighted differences between reported and observed levels of PCC. ConclusionThere is some way to go to embed PCC in diagnostic radiography practice. As impartial observers of radiography practice, student radiographers highlight the difference between service users and service deliverer's perceptions of PCC. Whilst the focus of clinical radiographers remains on efficiency, it is difficult for student radiographers to challenge the accepted norm. Role models are required to promote PCC behaviours and a holistic approach in radiography practice. Implications for practiceA package of educational support and audit tools will be made available to support both service deliverers and student radiographers to deliver PCC.

Assessing the Perception of Academicians about Organizational and Personal Aspects of Job Stress and Performance: A Qualitative Study

Performance of academicians negatively associated with job stress and many other factors most obvious are institutional and personal characteristics of academia. Academia performs assigned tasks within their position and expected roles at universities. Qualitative research study was conducted to assess the perception of academicians about organizational and personal aspects. A purposive sample of 60 participants as academia heads and academia (teachers) from eight public sector universities were targeted. Semi-structured face to face and telephonic interviews were conducted by using interview guide/checklist with open statements for getting different perception and working experience of academia heads as (Deans, Department Heads, InCharge), and of academia (teachers). Data were recorded in the form of mobile recorder and written notes. Transcripts were written and thematic analysis was used to analyze the data for important themes relevant to research objectives. Results of research shows that academia heads assign different tasks to academia, sometime oppose the interest of academia, may create stressful situation. Academia heads have diverse responsibilities to take part in different activities to obtain institutional goals, based on their domain, also face some stress. It was suggested that academia heads must assign work according to academia interest; knowledge and domain, also need to take investigate reasons of disappointment among academia. Work overload and autonomy need urgent concentration.

A unified perspective on the adoption of online teaching in higher education during the COVID-19 pandemic

PurposeThe study aims to develop a theoretical model that highlights the determinants of the adoption of online teaching at the time of the outbreak of COVID-19. This study adopted a time-series analysis to understand the factors leading to the adoption of online teaching.Design/methodology/approachEmpirical data were gathered from 222 university faculty members by using an online survey. In the first phase, data were collected from those faculty members who had no experience of conducting online classes but were supposed to adopt online teaching as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent lockdown. After two weeks, a slightly modified questionnaire was forwarded to the same group of faculty members, who were conducting online classes to know their perception regarding the adoption and conduct of online teaching.FindingsBoth the proposed conceptual frameworks were investigated empirically through confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modeling. Significant differences were found in the perceptions of faculty members regarding before and after conducting classes through online teaching.Originality/valueThis study contributes to the literature by presenting and validating a theory-driven framework that accentuates the factors influencing online teaching during the outbreak of a pandemic. This research further extends the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology by introducing and validating three new constructs, namely: facilitative leadership, regulatory support and project team capability. Based on the findings, practical insights are provided to universities to facilitate adoption, acceptance and use of online teaching during a health-care emergency leading to campus lockdowns or the imposition of restrictions on the physical movement of people.

Perceptions of EMS leaders and supervisors on the challenges faced by female paramedics in Riyadh Saudi Arabia: a qualitative study

PurposeSaudi female paramedics face many challenges in the current Saudi emergency medical service (EMS). This study aimed to investigate perceptions of EMS experts, leaders, managers and academics about the challenges faced by Saudi female paramedics in the Saudi Arabian EMS workforce.Design/methodology/approachA descriptive qualitative research approach was used employing semi-structured face-to-face interviews with seven EMS leaders, managers and academics in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Data were analysed using thematic analysis informed by the work of Braun and Clark.FindingsThree themes emerged from the interviews that described EMS experts' perceptions, namely, cultural and family challenges, the value of Saudi female paramedics in the workforce and workforce issues.Originality/valueOverall, the interviews revealed that Saudi females faced several challenges that could affect their job duties and capacity to work in the EMS. Currently, Saudi females face difficulties with family, social and religious responsibilities, such as taking care of children and homes. Workforce issues were also considered problems that affect Saudi female paramedics in the workplace, such as physical fitness and psychological burnout. The EMS leaders, managers and academics emphasised that due to the new Saudi 2030 vision, it is expected and recognised that more females need to be employed in the EMS workforce.

Rewards and faculty turnover: An individual differences approach

The perception of dissatisfaction with rewards is associated with the growing number of faculty members who express their intention to leave the university (TI). Our study has two aims. First, to analyze the phenomenon of TI based on faculty members’ perception of both extrinsic as intrinsic rewards (EIR), considering the moderating effect of age, seniority, and education level. Secondly, to analyze whether the relationships among the EIR are stronger or weaker for specific faculty members, considering their individual differences. We developed and tested a hypothetical model using binary logistic regression with full-time faculty members working in business schools in Colombia. As for age, seniority and education level, no moderator effect was found between EIR and TI. However, we found support for the idea that some specific extrinsic and intrinsic variables impact TI and reveal individual perceptions of faculty members’ satisfaction increasing the probability of staying or withdrawing from university. We also used multiple correspondence analyses and found support for the idea that there are different levels of association between extrinsic and intrinsic rewards for certain groups of faculty members in relation to TI. The propensity of TI was characterized in three scenarios made of different groups of faculty members. Our findings illustrate that, to fully understand the EIR and TI relationship, scholars must adopt a perspective and methodology that distinguishes the forces of association between EIR from the perspective of individual difference. Practical implications, limitations and future studies are discussed.

Exploring malaysian academics’ perception on working from home (WFH) as a flexible working arrangement during Covid-19 pandemic

Flexible working arrangements have gained prominence in the last decade, due to its ability to provide employees’ work-life balance and less stress, which are important for productivity. Although this work-place concept has been used in other industries, many Malaysian universities continue with the conventional work-place policies, with close monitoring. With the COVID-19 pandemic, Working from Home (WFH), a common form of flexible working arrangement, has become a new normal globally, transforming the entire workplace model, irrespective of business or industry. The objective of this study was to explore the perception of Malaysian academics on working from home, with regards to work-life balance and stress. Using a qualitative approach of focus group discussion, eight academics, from both public and private universities, were interviewed online. Findings revealed that WFH helps to improve work-life balance due to reduced stress for academics in Malaysia. This outcome will be useful in policymaking, where organizations are planning to change work policies to enhance employee productivity, especially with the COVID-19 pandemic experience. As knowledge workers’ mind never switches off, a structured WFH policy can contribute to academics’ well-being, which is also in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals 3 (SDG 3).

How Do Faculty Members Perceive Their Transformational Leaders?: The Case of State Universities in the Philippines

This paper investigated how faculty members from the state universities in the Philippines perceive their transformational leaders. 324 faculty members from state universities in Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao participated in the study. The sample size was determined using G-power with a 95% level of confidence indicating a 5% margin of error. This study used quantitative-descriptive design; only descriptive statistic was used to determine the perception of faculty members about their transformational leaders. This research utilized a self-constructed assessment instrument formatted on a 4-point scale and went through validation with a Cronbach Alpha of 0.907. The result showed that faculty members perceived their transformational leaders as good with an overall mean of 3.15 (SD= 0.54). They perceived their leaders as an influencer, motivator, stimulator, and considerate. Moreover, considering each indicator in transformational leadership, the faculty members perceived their leaders as good in individualized consideration with a mean of 3.18 (SD=.50), same with inspirational motivation with a mean of 3.22 (SD=.52), and intellectual stimulation with a mean of 3.13 (SD=.56), and individual consideration with a mean of 3.09 (SD= .54). The results revealed that those respondents from the state universities perceived their leaders as transformational. The results revealed that those respondents from the state universities perceived their leaders as transformational. This implies that the faculty members perceived their leaders with good leadership styles. Therefore, it recommends that leaders may continuously embody the characteristic of being transformational leaders to adapt and thrive to the changing needs of academic institutions due to globalization and technological advancement.

Accounting Academics Perceptions of 12 Research Journals

This paper reports perceptions of over 1,000 accounting faculty regarding 12 accounting journals (including the traditional Top 3/6), specifically in: (1) how open they are to diverse topic areas, (2) how open they are to diverse research methodologies, (3) how effectively they produce new and useful knowledge for academics, and (4) how effectively they produce new and useful knowledge for non-academic stakeholders. We find that the traditional Top 3/6 journals do not lead the academy along these four dimensions; in fact, some are viewed as the worst performers in these areas. We also report perceptions of how each journal is currently valued and how each journal should be valued when evaluating faculty on research productivity. We find that the traditional Top 6 journals are and should be weighted as elite journals, but the other six journals should receive greater weighting.

“We Are Radical In Our Kindness”: The Political Socialisation, Motivations, Demands and Protest Actions of Young Environmental Activists in Britain

Abstract The year 2018 was a watershed in environmental activism, especially regarding young activists. Greta Thunberg started her School Strikes for Climate and the environmental movement Extinction Rebellion was founded. This article deals with young people’s involvement in these two global movements. It draws on 60 semi-structured interviews carried out with young environmental activists before, during and after protest actions under the auspices of the climate strikes and/or Extinction Rebellion in five British locations. The period of the political socialisation of this young generation is outlined and how it contributes to young people becoming environmental activists. The article then identifies the “radical” demands made by young environmental activists and their “radical” repertoire of contention in relation to their perceptions of the “radical” compared to hegemonic definitions. The interviews show that these young environmentalists are part of a generation of activists committed to obtaining significant change from powerholders through the use of deliberately non-violent direct action that challenges academic perceptions of radical repertoires of contention.

Adaptation of the Global Academic Performance Scale: Reliability and Validity Study

Today, with the skills that cannot be imitated by others the person who gains competitive advantage in the organization contributes to the organizational goals. In this way, the good performance of the employees provides reputation, prestige, brand value, awareness, quality, effectiveness, efficiency and profitability. Therefore, it is important to integrate the knowledge, experience, talent and motivation level of an academic staff with the university objectives to which it is connected and to increase the quality of education. In this context, this research was carried out to adapt the Global Academic Performance Scale developed by Abubakar et al. (2018) into Turkish, to test its validity and reliability, and to measure the academic perceptions of academic staff on global academic performance. In this research, which is an empirical research, survey technique was used as a data collection tool. Academic staff working in Faculty of Sport Sciences at universities constitute of the population of the research. In this context, data from 198 samples determined by convenience sampling method were collected. Descriptive statistics, independent groups t-test, and explanatory and confirmatory factor analyzes were used in the analysis of the data. As a result, it can be stated that the Global Academic Performance Scale is a valid and reliable measurement tool which can be used for determining the academic performance perceptions of the employees in different samples and practices in Turkey.

Perceptions towards research data sharing: A qualitative study of Nigerian academics

Open science provides transparency to research processes by means of open data as data sharing initiates. The need for data sharing among scholars and researchers was evident, the uptake however is slow due to the benefits and detriments of the practices. This paper explores the perceptions of Nigerian academics towards research data sharing practices. Participants from five universities in Nigeria were purposively sampled. Data were gathered through interviews with 22 participants. Their perception towards data sharing was reflected through their awareness, understanding and familiarity of the practice. Most of the participants perceived that data sharing would add value to their professional reputation and fast-track their research progression, however a few of them perceived data sharing as disquieting. The academics labelled data privacy and cultural orientation to be those risks associated with data sharing. The study provides deeper understanding of data sharing and the opportunity for academics to know diverse insights of data sharing practices that would guide scholars in intensifying a variety of data management services, which then can be personalized to their exclusive needs. Further investigation could be done through quantitative research approach to inform data sharing behavior in a larger scale in order to improve the current practices.

Examining the parental views concerning the extracurricular sports activities of students attending the courses in public training centers

This study aims to examine the parental views concerning extracurricular sports activities of students attending the public training center courses. The sample of the study, which was conducted as a survey model, was comprised of the parents (n = 459) of students attending the courses in public training centers located in Konya province in the 2017-2018 academic year. In this study, demographic information form prepared by researcher and “Parental Attitude Scale Concerning the Extracurricular Sport Activities” developed by Yılmaz and Güven (2015) were used as data collection tools. The collected data were analyzed in the SPSS 22.0 package program with 0.05 significance level. As a result of the statistical analyses, it was determined that, concerning parental educational levels and gender, there were statistically significant differences in Personal Development and Social Support sub-dimensions (p < 0.05). However, it was determined that there was statistically no significant difference among parents in Social Support sub-dimension concerning their educational levels; similarly, there was statistically no significant difference among parents in Academic Perception sub-dimension concerning gender (p < 0.05). Additionally, it was determined that there were statistically no significant differences among parents in Personal Development, Social Support and Academic Perception sub-dimensions in terms of having a sports license (p > 0.05). As a result, it was concluded that male parents had higher personal development levels and provide more social support for their children to participate in extracurricular activities. Another conclusion was that parents with higher educational status had higher personal development levels and academic perceptions compared to parents with lower educational status.

Perceptions on the internationalisation of higher education in public universities in Kenya and the implications for practice-a phenomenographic approach

ABSTRACT The internationalisation of higher education is a dynamic and specific process that is continuously shaped by the context in which it occurs. This article reports on a study that explored perceptions on the internationalisation concept and how it manifests in public universities in Kenya. The article harnesses a phenomenographic analysis approach that aims at revealing the perceptions of both students and academics on the internationalisation phenomenon. It illuminates three qualitatively different perceptions and understandings of internationalisation and explores the implications for practice on three aspects of higher education: Academic, Administrative and Socio-cultural. This article extends the literature on the internationalisation of higher education by providing local understandings and manifestations of the process, a critical starting point towards designing the practice of internationalisation in universities in Kenya and Africa at large.