Perspectives Of Educators Research Articles

Expanding the boundaries of leadership development: Propositions for leadership educators.

This article delves into the intricacies of leadership development through the lens of the leadership learning framework (LLF); challenging conventional notions by emphasizing self-awareness, relational dynamics, and values as key elements of the leadership development process. We first explore how the LLF reshapes traditional paradigms, redirecting focus from skills acquisition to personal growth rooted in self-awareness, relational dynamics, and values acquisition. Through recommendations and examples, the discussion seeks to clarify the implications of this perspective for leadership educators, advocating for programs that foster not only task proficiency but also critical reflection and a deep sense of interdependency in relationships with others in the leadership process. Ultimately, it underscores the importance of integrating self-reflection, social awareness, and value-centered approaches into leadership development programming to cultivate leaders capable of navigating the complexities of modern society.

Experiences, barriers and perspectives of midwifery educators, mentors and students implementing the updated emergency obstetric and newborn care-enhanced pre-service midwifery curriculum in Kenya: a nested qualitative study

IntroductionTo achieve quality midwifery education, understanding the experiences of midwifery educators and students in implementing a competency-based pre-service curriculum is critical. This study explored the experiences of and barriers to implementing a pre-service curriculum updated with emergency obstetric and newborn care (EmONC) skills by midwifery educators, students and mentors in Kenya.MethodsThis was a nested qualitative study within the cluster randomised controlled trial investigating the effectiveness of an EmONC enhanced midwifery curriculum delivered by trained and mentored midwifery educators on the quality of education and student performance in 20 colleges in Kenya. Following the pre-service midwifery curriculum EmONC update, capacity strengthening of educators through training (in both study arms) and additional mentoring of intervention-arm educators was undertaken. Focus group discussions were used to explore the experiences of and barriers to implementing the EmONC-enhanced curriculum by 20 educators and eight mentors. Debrief/feedback sessions with 6–9 students from each of the 20 colleges were conducted and field notes were taken. Data were analysed thematically using Braun and Clarke’s six step criteria.ResultsThemes identified related to experiences were: (i) relevancy of updated EmONC-enhanced curriculum to improve practice, (ii) training and mentoring valued as continuous professional development opportunities for midwifery educators, (iii) effective teaching and learning strategies acquired – peer teaching (teacher-teacher and student-student), simulation/scenario teaching and effective feedback techniques for effective learning and, (iv) effective collaborations between school/academic institution and hospital/clinical staff promoted effective training/learning. Barriers identified were (i) midwifery faculty shortage and heavy workload vs. high student population, (ii) infrastructure gaps in simulation teaching – inadequate space for simulation and lack of equipment inventory audits for replenishment (iii) inadequate clinical support for students due to inadequate clinical sites for experience, ineffective supervision and mentoring support, lack/shortage of clinical mentors and untrained hospital/clinical staff in EmONC and (iv) limited resources to support effective learning.ConclusionFindings reveal an overwhelmed midwifery faculty and an urgent demand for students support in clinical settings to acquire EmONC competencies for enhanced practice. For quality midwifery education, adequate resources and regulatory/policy directives are needed in midwifery faculty staffing and development. A continuous professional development specific for educators is needed for effective student teaching and learning of a competency-based pre-service curriculum.

Revolutionising classrooms with AI: Educators' insights on transformative opportunities and challenges

This paper examines the transformation opportunities of AI in education, focusing on its benefits and challenges from the perspectives of educators. The research methodology involves a qualitative study with practising educators who were students enrolled in a master's program in education at an open distance education university in South Africa. Data collection is conducted through an online discussion forum. The paper concludes that while AI offers exciting transformative opportunities such as personalised learning and effective education, it should be used wisely, complementing traditional teaching methods. It emphasises addressing biases, overuse, plagiarism, and data privacy issues. The study emphasises the need for more information on educator’s use and perceptions to pave the way for AI to complement educators and, in so doing, benefit all educators and students equally.

Exploring the concept of a responsive curriculum in teacher education from the perspective of students and teacher educators

Exploring the concept of a responsive curriculum in teacher education from the perspective of students and teacher educators

Generative AI in higher education: Perspectives of students, educators and administrators

Generative AI in higher education: Perspectives of students, educators and administrators

UNDERSTANDING IDENTITY CONSTRUCTION OF INDONESIAN EFL TEACHER EDUCATORS FROM A THREE-DIMENSIONAL NARRATIVE

Research into language teacher identity construction has proliferated in recent years. However, studies examining identity construction from an integral perspective of EFL teacher educators’ past, present, and future narratives seem sparse. To fill this lacuna, the present study was designed to explore five Indonesian EFL teacher educators’ identity construction from their past, present, and future narratives. This study’s data were generated through multiple life-historical interviews with the five participants. The thematic analysis showcased that language teacher identity is constructed as a continuum from the teachers’ past experiences as EFL learners, present experiences as lecturers and doctoral students, and future narratives as imagined teacher educators. The findings also revealed that the participating teachers constructed their language teacher identity through complex and context-dependent experiences in their past, present, and future narratives. Based on the study’s findings, we offer a novel approach to studying language teacher identity construction employing teachers’ three-dimensional narratives. This approach enables teachers to understand themselves and their relationships with social environments through the interconnectivity of their past, present, and future narratives.

Innovative Insights: Teaching Best Debriefing Practices Through Debriefing the Debrief.

Debriefing is essential in nursing education, aiding self-reflection and knowledge comprehension. Following the International Nursing Association for Clinical Simulation and Learning Standards of Best Practice for Debriefing is key in promoting self-awareness and achieving learning objectives. Nurse educator students must practice designing, prebriefing, facilitating, and debriefing simulations to identify areas for improvement. A simulation experience was developed for graduate nurse educator students who participated in a postoperative scenario as nurses. Debriefing followed using the Promoting Excellence and Reflective Learning in Simulation (PEARLS) method. Students debriefed the debrief gaining insight from an educator's perspective. The experience was valuable, gaining insights into the application of simulation. Debriefing the debrief allowed for reflection and dialogue from the educators' perspective. Debriefing the debrief allows nurse educator students to effectively analyze simulation-based education. Utilizing the PEARLS method allows for active engagement and reflection, improving the simulation's debrief. Deliberate practice and reflective debriefing prepare nurse educator students for their roles, by enhancing simulation outcomes and nursing education. [J Nurs Educ. 2024;63(X):XXX-XXX.].

Perspectives of educators and students on the efficacy of online teaching and learning strategies employed during COVID-19 in a health sciences institution.

Healthcare education encountered unprecedented challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic, but the necessary responses have also provided learning opportunities for the future. We aimed to evaluate the impact of COVID-19 on teaching and learning strategies and the perceptions of clinical educators and health sciences students on novel methods to improve online student engagement in Ireland's largest medical school. Two separate online surveys designed to gain insights into the perceived efficacy of online teaching strategies were distributed to clinical educators and health sciences students (medical and pharmacy) over 7months via email. A total of 86.4% of educators responded that rapport was more difficult to build online, and 90.5% reported less engagement from students online. The most popular methods that improved student engagement included using polls, a chat box function for questions, small group discussions and having student cameras turned on. Amongst educators surveyed, 81.8% felt a training course focused on teaching strategies at the start of every academic year would be beneficial. From the students' perspective, no difference was noted between the medicine and the pharmacy students. Seventy-five percent reported using quizzes/polls, and 63% reported using game-based platforms as techniques to improve online learning. Sixty-two percent of students described it as a positive outcome of learning during the pandemic. Any pandemic poses unique challenges to the delivery of healthcare education. These surveys report educators' and students' views on online teaching and learning strategies, highlighting novel mechanisms to improve student engagement and ultimately impact on graduate outcomes.

Designing and Developing an Interactive Syllabus for e-Business Training as Part of Design-Based Research

A syllabus is an arrangement of subjects and a plan for a course of study. It enables visualization of the big picture of the course structure. Syllabi play various valuable functions, including providing information about the communication mechanism between the teacher and students, a planning tool for instructors, a course plan for learners, a source for learning materials or additional readings, a guide that learners can use in their learning both in-class and out-of-class, and it can also serve as a contract or written agreement between learners and instructors or their institutions about learning outcomes. Education today is more interactive, and courses are increasingly multimedia-rich; therefore, syllabi need to be interactive as well. In designing and developing an interactive syllabus for Smart Training for Arabic-speaking Residents on Technology START e-Business Training, learners can visualize the structure of training, search its contents, access frequently asked questions, and explore additional resources. This paper discusses the best strategies used to design START e-Business Training's interactive syllabus and the tools employed to develop it, as a core component of the design-based research DBR methodology. The paper also outlines some challenges in developing an interactive multimedia-rich syllabus, especially with accessibility features, and proposes solutions to overcome these challenges from the perspectives of educators and learning designers. Additionally, the paper explores the iterative process of feedback incorporation and continuous improvement essential to maintaining the syllabus's relevance and effectiveness. By leveraging advanced technological tools and user-centric design principles, the interactive syllabus aims to enhance learner engagement and support diverse learning needs. The discussion includes an evaluation of the pedagogical impacts of the interactive syllabus and its potential to serve as a model for future educational design projects. Furthermore, the implications for broader application in various educational contexts are considered, highlighting the importance of adaptability and innovation in modern educational practices.

Professional Behaviors on the Fieldwork Performance Evaluation: Perspectives of Fieldwork Educators

Abstract Date Presented 03/21/24 Most professional behavior skills on the Fieldwork Performance Evaluation (FWPE) are not required components of entry-level OT education. Survey results from fieldwork educators explore the perceived academic preparation and importance of these skills, especially related to the diversity item. Primary Author and Speaker: Jessi Clark Contributing Authors: Casey Humphrey, Camille Skubik-Peplaski

Exploring Global Education in Early Childhood: Preschool Teachers' Perspective

The need for education to emphasize global perspectives is evident as globalisation increasingly permeates our daily lives, cultural interactions and ethnic diversity gain prominence. This study aims to explore the role of global education in the preschool years. Specifically, the present study examines the perspectives of preschool educators. Using a basic qualitative research design, this study involved 36 preschool teachers from different cities in Turkey. Convenience sampling was used to form the participant cohort. Data collection consisted of a personal information survey and a carefully designed semi-structured interviewing protocol developed by the researchers. Content analysis using MAXQDA software was used to analyse the data. The results of the analysis revealed that the educators had a foundational knowledge of the nature, content, pedagogical approaches and potential outcomes of global education in the context of early childhood education. At the same time, educators articulated potential challenges in implementing global education. They also identified potential needs for additional training and material support.

The Indian Higher Education System's NEP 2020: A Framework Change Towards Research, Innovation And Entrepreneurish

With the goal of revolutionizing higher education in India, the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 of the Indian Higher Education System marks a significant change in educational philosophy. In order to foster an environment of inquiry, creativity, and enterprise among academics, the NEP 2020 lays out a comprehensive framework with an emphasis on research, innovation, and entrepreneurship. This study evaluates the NEP 2020's research, innovation, and entrepreneurship provisions critically and assesses how they could affect the higher education sector. The article examines the logic for the NEP 2020's concentration on these areas and assesses the benefits, drawbacks, possibilities, and difficulties connected with their implementation through a detailed examination of the research, policy analysis, and case studies. This paper offers useful perspectives for policymakers, educators, researchers, and other stakeholders who are trying to navigate the changing Indian higher education landscape and take advantage of the transformative potential of this sector for national development. It does this by offering insights into the NEP 2020's objectives, strategies, and expected outcomes.

Sustainable Learning Design

This article presents the results of a case study of eight undergraduate science modules on factors for sustainable Learning Design interventions. Using a mixed-methods approach involving educator interviews, statistical data, screening of learning designs based on a furthered learning design model (STREAM), student surveys, and an efficiency assessment based on the concept of Efficient Learning Design, a total of six factors for sustainable Learning Design in the context of science higher education related to the educator perspective and the actualised learning designs are identified. The article concludes that in addition to the direct factors such as the number of enrolled students and repetition of modules, the educators’ consideration for the institutional cost-benefit perspective, their perceived usefulness of technology-enhanced learning and buy-in of its related pedagogy, the students buy-in of technology-enhanced learning, and a consistent structure with online activities, reflection exercises, and feedback are significant underlying factors for efficient and sustainable Learning Design.

What does research-led teaching mean for music performance programs? Students and educators perspectives from Swedish higher music education

Higher music education (HME) institutions, globally, have increasingly been expected to incorporate research into teaching in music performance programs (MPPs). This feature of “musical academization” arguably conflicts with a longstanding focus on the development of practical playing skills as part of a music performance education. Whilst academic literature has outlined how to conduct research supervision in performance programs at universities, the question of how students and educators understand research-led teaching and implementation strategies is lacking. This article highlights challenges to implementing research-led teaching in HME, exploring how research and research-led teaching is understood and implemented in MPPs at a medium sized Swedish university. Drawing on 13 semi-structured interviews with students and educators across different MPPs, it asks: (1) how are research and research-led teaching conceptualized and understood amongst music performance students and educators? and (2) what do students and educators see as the potential of research-led teaching for MPPs specifically? The article divides research in music performance programs into three themes: research as a noun, research-competent educators, and student-centered artistic research. Through this, the article informs discussions relating to implementing research in HME and to demonstrate students and educators’ perspectives on the value of research-led teaching in music performance programs.

Examining Professional Development for Special Education Teachers, General Education Teachers, and Paraeducators Who Support Autistic Elementary Students

ABSTRACT Background Autistic youth primarily receive services in public schools from educators who persistently report variable training and use of evidenced-based practices (EBPs). Educational achievement of individualized goals may be hindered by inconsistent implementation of EBPs. Objective To better understand EBP training practices, this study employs both quantitative and qualitative methods to examine EBP training experiences accessed by educators of different roles. Method Eighty-one participants (special education teachers, general education teachers, and paraeducators) serving autistic children in public schools completed an exhaustive survey on professional development, as well as a complementary semi-structured interview. Results Special education and general education teachers had similar patterns in terms of the types of training and providers they accessed. Compared to paraeducators, general and special educators were more likely to report accessing Teacher Preparation or Educator Certification Programs and School or District In-Service. The type of provider conducting the training also differed by role, with general educators being more likely to receive training from Higher Education Faculty, District Coaches, and Supervisors, and paraeducators more likely to receive training from Teachers. Special education teachers, general education teachers, and paraeducators also reported qualitative differences in their training experiences and needs. Conclusions This study provides valuable EBP training suggestions synthesized from the perspectives of educators working together to support autistic students. One recommendation is the facilitation of opportunities for educators to train and work together across roles, as well as the personalization of these trainings for educators of different roles, fostering a more comprehensive understanding of the needs of autistic students and promoting consistent EBP utilization.

Perceived impact of generative AI on assessments: Comparing educator and student perspectives in Australia, Cyprus, and the United States

The growing use of generative AI tools built on large language models (LLMs) calls the sustainability of traditional assessment practices into question. Tools like OpenAI's ChatGPT can generate eloquent essays on any topic and in any language, write code in various programming languages, and ace most standardized tests, all within seconds. We conducted an international survey of educators and students in higher education to understand and compare their perspectives on the impact of generative AI across various assessment scenarios, building on an established framework for examining the quality of online assessments along six dimensions. Across three universities, 680 students and 87 educators, who moderately use generative AI, consider essay and coding assessments to be most impacted. Educators strongly prefer assessments that are adapted to assume the use of AI and encourage critical thinking, while students' reactions are mixed, in part due to concerns about a loss of creativity. The findings show the importance of engaging educators and students in assessment reform efforts to focus on the process of learning over its outputs, alongside higher-order thinking and authentic applications.

Educator wellbeing and family engagement in Australian early learning settings: perspectives of early childhood educators and families

AbstractWhile the COVID-19 pandemic brought with it multiple challenges for families and the Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) workforce, it also highlighted the essential role of ECEC in the lives of children and families and presented unique opportunities for innovation and learning. The current study sought to explore learnings from this uniquely challenging period, including the factors and strategies that best supported educator wellbeing and family engagement in ECEC settings, from the perspectives of families, centre directors and educators. In 2021, 104 Centre Directors/Educators and 102 families completed online surveys exploring wellbeing and educator–family relationships. Correlations suggest that robust professional wellbeing and resilience are potential enabling factors for strong family engagement, and that supportive organisational structures in ECEC settings are a protective factor for both educator wellbeing and family engagement. In addition, five effective family engagement strategies were derived from the qualitative data: (1) drawing on personal and professional knowledges to enrich children’s learning at home; (2) prioritising regular and reliable communication with families; (3) maintaining familiar relationships and a sense of community; (4) providing person-centred support and a bridge to other services; and (5) nurturing mutually supportive educator–family relationships. Learnings provide important insights that may inform ongoing quality improvements across different ECEC contexts, and to help safeguard against the negative impacts of future global crises.

Social Educators’ initial and in-service training: community projects as promoters of professional development

ABSTRACT Promoting social justice, fighting against social inequalities, and minimizing the risks and dangers faced by society’s most vulnerable groups are the aims of socio-educational intervention actions promoted by Social Educators in community projects. Using a qualitative and interpretative case study research methodology, this study sought to understand, from the perspective of Social Educators (n = 13) who graduated from a university in the north of Portugal between 2018 and 2022, how and if the experience of working in a community project during initial and in-service training enriches and/or alters their work. The results showed that the participation of Social Educators in community projects deconstructs an excessively individualistic view of intervention, with Social Educators highlighting the social and educational conditions that shape the target audiences in an action that is required to be holistic and legitimized by the members of the communities in which they operate.

Programming education and learner motivation in the age of generative AI: student and educator perspectives

Purpose Programming education is being rapidly transformed by generative AI tools and educators must determine how best to support students in this context. This study aims to explore the experiences of programming educators and students to inform future education provision. Design/methodology/approach Twelve students and six members of faculty in a small technology-focused university were interviewed. Thematic analysis of the interview data was combined with data collected from a survey of 44 students at the same university. Self-determination theory was applied as an analytical framework. Findings Three themes were identified – bespoke learning, affect and support – that significantly impact motivation and learning outcomes in programming education. It was also found that students are already making extensive use of large language models (LLMs). LLMs can significantly improve learner autonomy and sense of competence by improving the options for bespoke learning; fostering emotions that are conducive to engendering and maintaining motivation; and inhibiting the negative affective states that discourage learning. However, current LLMs cannot adequately provide or replace social support, which is still a key factor in learner motivation. Research limitations/implications Integrating the use of LLMs into curricula can improve learning motivation and outcomes. It can also free educators from certain tasks, leaving them with more time and capacity to focus their attention on developing social learning opportunities to further enhance learner motivation. Originality/value To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first attempt to explore the relationship between motivation and LLM use in programming education.

The Application of Educational Games in Primary Education: A Theoretical Framework

This study aims to shed light on educational games in the field of learning and education, through the perspectives of educators and teachers in primary education. The goal is to identify the key determinants associated with this learning approach. Accordingly, this study seeks to explore the meaning and types of educational games, followed by the theories that have interpreted this type of learning.