Postgraduate Education Students Research Articles

English Teachers’ Perception on the Use of Authentic Assessment in 2013 Curriculum

Authentic assessment in 2013 Curriculum leads the students to be autonomous learner and become higher order thinking. However, the English teachers prefer to use non-authentic than authentic assessment. This study seeks to find out how English teachers use the authentic assessment in the classroom and the barriers and the way the English teachers solve the problems in conducting authentic assessment. Interview was used to find out of five postgraduate English education students at a university in Bandung used authentic assessment in the classroom. Authentic assessment can encourage the English teachers and students to be more creative and optimize student’s participation in learning process. However, several challenges lead to the implementation of authentic assessment: purpose of assessment, fairness, time allotment, objectivity and reliability of scoring. Therefore, 2013 Curriculum should be clearly stated the types of authentic assessment, the indicators, and time allocation to its teaching material.

Making Headway: Developing Principals’ Leadership Skills through Innovative Postgraduate Programs

Effective school leadership preparation has been regarded as desirable if not mandatory in Australia and globally for decades. Schools and school systems, higher education institutions and education jurisdictions have attempted with varying degrees of success to encourage teachers aspiring to become principals to prepare well for the complex role ahead. Research involving postgraduate education students identified that peer support, collaboration and collegial professional learning contributed towards self-development, strengthening the required Personal qualities, social and interpersonal skills of contemporary school leaders.

Relationship between Acculturation Attitude and Effectiveness of Pragmatic Instruction

Attitude toward accepting target language culture or maintaining heritage culture referred to as acculturation attitude can determine language learners’ pragmatic gains during an educational sojourn. To this end, the current study investigated the relationship between language learners’ acculturation attitudes during an educational sojourn and the effectiveness of pragmatic instruction. Participants of the study were 52 Iranian postgraduate students of English education at a university in Australia. A discourse completion task was used to assess language learners’ level of pragmatic competence. The adapted version of Berry’s (2001) East Asian Acculturation Measure (EAAM) was also used to assess language learners’ level of acculturation attitude toward Australian culture. The analysis of Pearson product–moment correlation coefficient (r) revealed that there is a strong positive relationship between acculturation attitude and effectiveness of pragmatic instruction. The pedagogical implications of the findings suggested encouraging and providing opportunities for language learners who are on an educational sojourn to immerse in target language culture to be able to develop their pragmatic competence to an optimal level. Keywords: Acculturation Attitude, Pragmatic Competence, Pragmatic Instruction

The perceptions of CEIT postgraduate students regarding reality concepts: Augmented, virtual, mixed and mirror reality

The purpose of this study is to determine perception of postgraduate Computer Education and Instructional Technologies (CEIT) students regarding the concepts of Augmented Reality (AR), Virtual Reality (VR), Mixed Reality (MR), Augmented Virtuality (AV) and Mirror Reality; and to offer a table that includes differences and similarities between these concepts. This study also aims to determine the likelihood of CEIT postgraduate students for using the said concepts in education. In this context, the frequently used reality concepts in the CEIT field have been examined from the perspective of the participants and in terms of the following traits: frequency of potential use, perceived usefulness, and perceived effectiveness. The phenomenological method was used in this qualitative study. 10 CEIT graduate students have been the participants of this research; with 4 of these pursuing a PhD and 6 pursuing a Master's Degree. 14 open-ended questions related to AR, VR, MR, AV and Mirror Reality concepts were used throughout semi-structured and face-to-face interviews in order to collect data. Findings show that AR and VR are the most familiar concepts. Participants have several misconceptions about the reality concepts but the least amount of misconception was associated with AR and VR. Most of the participants had no idea about MR and none of them had any idea about Mirror Reality. Findings refer that VR is the most frequently used kind of reality owing to the fact that it can be developed and implemented more easily and there are several AR studies because of its current popularity.

The synthesis approach to analysing educational design dataset: Application of three scaffolds to a learning by design task for postgraduate education students

AbstractThe aims of the Synthesis and Scaffolding Project were to understand: the role of specific scaffolds in relation to the activity of learners, and the activity of learners during a collaborative design task from multiple perspectives, through the collection and analysis of multiple streams of data and the adoption of a synthesis approach to the research. The Synthesis Approach to Analysing Educational Design (SAAED) dataset is comprised of video, audio and image files, transcripts of the discourse, as well as copies of physical artefacts generated by three groups of three postgraduate education students during a 90‐minute design session. The data were collected in January 2013. Each group was given a different scaffold related to the design process, the social interactions or the use of the tools available to the participants. Researchers interested in analysing the SAAED are required to sign a collaborator agreement to become part of the project team.

Pedagogic strategies: Using empowerment theory to confront issues of language and race within mathematics education

Within the classroom milieu a teacher wields considerable power; however, teaching may become overwhelming when the teacher is faced with somewhat diverse learners. Dealing with such in the classroom is a challenging task. This qualitative study aims to explore how teachers confront issues of language and race within mathematics education. It was carried out at one university in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN), South Africa. The participants are mathematics teachers who enrolled as postgraduate mathematics education students at the university. The study was framed using Perkins and Zimmerman’s notion of empowerment theory. Qualitative data were gathered during the 2012–2013 and 2013–2014 academic years, from a final sample of 22 postgraduate mathematics education students, and through a questionnaire administered to teachers and semi-structured interview schedules. The corollary findings provide a glimpse of how issues of language and race are confronted within mathematics education in South Africa, and they are important in terms of advancing curriculum and teacher development. Internationally and nationally, the findings have particular resonance and relevance when considering the powerful role that language and race play in mathematics education.

Reflective journaling: a tool for teacher professional development

ABSTRACTThis qualitative study explores the introduction of postgraduate education students to reflective journaling as a tool for professional development. Students were purposefully selected to keep a weekly journal in which they reflected in and on the activities (methodologies, techniques, strategies) they engaged in while executing a workplace assignment. Empirical results from the study demonstrate that while the students initially expressed reluctance and resistance to journaling, they subsequently became aware of the benefits of being consciously reflective; both for their own professional development and for the learners they taught. This outcome highlights the role of higher education institutions in the preparation of prospective teachers.

Efficacy of the Technology Satisfaction Model (TSM)

With the rapid uptake of the Internet and e-learning systems worldwide, online research databases have become necessary, even indispensable, tools for research and learning. The International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) recognizes the huge potential of databases in improving educational outcomes, and in promoting research among its students and academic staff. In line with its aim to become a research university and centre for educational excellence, the IIUM introduced its online database system in 2000 as part of its e-library services. However, despite a decade of existence, the database was found to be underutilized, especially by postgraduate students. As such, the prime objective of this study is to validate the Technology Satisfaction Model (TSM) to assess its efficacy on students' satisfaction in using online research databases in higher education. A total of 180 postgraduate students from four faculties (Education, Human Sciences, Engineering and Economics) were selected using stratified random sampling procedure. The questionnaires' reliability and validity were performed through a Rasch model using Winsteps version 3.49. The data were analyzed applying the Structural Equation Modeling to test the hypotheses of TSM. The results of this study revealed that computer self-efficacy had a statistically significant direct influence on perceived ease of use and perceived usefulness. Subsequently, students' perceived ease of use and perceived usefulness had statistically significant positive direct influence on their satisfaction in using online research databases. On the other hand, computer self-efficacy had a significant indirect influence on satisfaction mediated by perceived ease of use. Finally, computer self-efficacy also demonstrated a statistically significant indirect influence on satisfaction mediated by perceived usefulness of databases. The findings contributed that the TSM is viable to examine the successful integration of online research databases among postgraduate students in higher education.

“Not Like a Big Gap, Something We Could Handle”: Facilitating Shifts in Paradigm in the Supervision of Mathematics Graduates upon Entry into Mathematics Education

Mathematics is the discipline that a significant majority of most incoming researchers in mathematics education have prior qualifications and experience in. Upon entry into the field of mathematics education research, these newcomers–often students on a postgraduate programme in mathematics education–need a broadened understanding on how to read, converse, write and conduct research in the largely unfamiliar territory of mathematics education. The intervention into the practices of post-graduate teaching and supervision in the field of mathematics education that I describe here aims at fostering this broadened understanding and thus facilitating newcomers’ participation in the practices of the mathematics education research community. Here I outline the theoretical underpinnings of the intervention and exemplify one of its parts (an Activity Set designed to facilitate incoming students’ engagement with the mathematics education research literature). I supplement the discussion of the intervention with comments sampled from student interview and student written evaluation data as well as observations of the activities’ implementation. The main themes touched upon include: learning how to identify appropriate mathematics education literature; reading increasingly more complex writings in mathematics education; coping with the complexity of literate mathematics education discourse; working towards a contextualised understanding of literate mathematics education discourse. I conclude with indicating the directions that the intervention, and its evaluation, is currently taking and a brief discussion of broader implications, theoretical as well as concerning the supervision and teaching of post-graduate students in mathematics education.

Inclusive education in pre-schools: predictors of pre-service teacher attitudes in Australia

Teachers’ attitudes have been identified as being vital to the success of inclusive education (IE). With pre-school student populations becoming increasingly diverse, and many children experiencing this as their first involvement in formal education, the attitudes towards IE of pre-school teachers are more important than ever. This study investigated pre-service pre-school teachers in an attempt to identify the factors that contribute to the formation of positive attitudes towards IE in this population. Participants were 139 undergraduate and postgraduate early education students studying at a metropolitan university in Australia. Results indicated that participants generally held positive attitudes towards IE, despite having concerns regarding their ability to implement the construct. Attitudes did not significantly vary through years of study of the undergraduate degree; however, postgraduate participants reported significantly lower attitudes. While those who completed a tertiary-level unit on IE were significantly more likely to display positive attitudes, neither personal experience with persons with special needs nor practical classroom experience significantly influenced attitudes. Experience, however, was found to significantly increase perceptions of self-efficacy. Findings imply the presence of unique factors associated with the attitudes of pre-service pre-school teachers. Implications for the structure of pre-service pre-school education programmes and directions for future research are discussed.

English

Using Design Research as methodology and research design type, this article reports on a research proposal writing workshop conducted with Education postgraduate students, with the aim of ascertaining the roles that conversation, collaboration and feedback play in constructing meaning and supporting writing. It was found that through conversation, as part of a general discourse within a community that students whose first language may differ from that of others, but for whom the language of learning is English, are able to share with tutors and other students, and to negotiate meaning. The construction of knowledge is consequently dependent on conversation between students, their peers and the tutors within a collaborative community, such as a writing centre, in which feedback on writing is offered and received in order to support student writing.

Identifying Systems of Interaction in Mathematical Engagement

Mathematical engagement is a complex process of interaction between the person and the world. This interaction is strongly influenced by the concepts and structure of the mathematical field, by the practical and symbolic tools of mathematics and by the focus of investigation in the world. This paper reports on research that involves a detailed analysis of the process of mathematical engagement by two postgraduate education students working together to solve a number of mathematical puzzles. A process model of mathematical engagement was developed, identifying coherent systems of ‘thinking in action’. Both mathematical and everyday systems were identified, as well as systems that mediated the interaction between the two. Four fundamental subsystems relate to the mathematical system: subsystems oriented to mathematical objects; mathematical actions; mathematical representations; and mathematical patterns and relationships. A further four functional subsystems relate to the interaction between the mathematical and everyday: subsystems relating to linking; orientation; evaluation; and strategic control. These subsystems are detailed through the analysis of a particular episode in the engagement data.

From Theory to Practice: Theater Reading (TR) as a Critical and Transformative Literacy Practice in an Educational Development Course

Recent research in educational development programs has led to a renewed interest in critical literacy. This paper provides an illustrative case study of critical literacy from a remedial reading course of English language education for post-graduate students where Theater Reading (TR) is applied. The findings of this study show how the implementation of TR can help students acquire their voices and promote critical reading inside and outside classroom settings. Further, this paper provides guidelines for curriculum designers and teachers to bridge the gap between theoretical and practical knowledge in critical and transformative literacy studies.

Dinamización de las relaciones familia-centro escolar a través de la formación del profesorado en este campo de actuación

RESUMENEn este artículo se describen algunas acciones llevadas a cabo para dinamizar las relaciones entre las familias y los centros escolares a través de la formación del profesorado en esta temática. Para ello se ha constituido un Seminario de Formación-Acción integrado por profesionales de la Educación que desarrollan su actividad en distintos niveles académicos (Directores/as y Profesores/as de centros escolares públicos y privados concertados de E.Infantil, Primaria, y Secundaria, una Inspectora de Educación, profesoras Universitarias y Licenciadas en Ciencias de la Educación). A través de la metodología de la Investigación-Acción Colaborativa se han configurado grupos de trabajo en los centros escolares, formados por padres/madres y profesores/as, que están permitiendo evaluar las necesidades que tienen los centros en materia de cooperación con las familias, y organizar actuaciones que den respuesta a dichas necesidades.ABSTRACTIn this article the authors describe some actions carried out to develop family-school partnership through in-service training for teachers in this field. An Action-Training Seminar consisting of Professionals involved in different levels of education (Inspection, Teachers from Infant to Secondary Education, University Teachers and Post-graduate students in Education) has been set up to train primary and secondary school teachers and to help them build action-research teams with parents in schools. The aims of these teams based at the schools have been to analyze partnership needs and to organize some activities to meet them.

Challenges and Coping Strategies Adopted by Postgraduate Students of Agricultural Education in Thesis Writing in Nigerian Universities

The study investigated challenges encountered and coping strategies adopted by postgraduate students of agricultural education in writing thesis in Nigerian universities. Two research questions and two hypotheses guided the study. The study was conducted in Nigerian universities offering post-graduate programme in agricultural education. The population for the study was 118 made up of 14 postgraduate diploma, 66 masters and 38 doctoral students writing thesis in agricultural education. The entire population was involved in the study. An instrument tilted: Challenges and Coping Strategies Questionnaire (CCSQ) was used for data collection. Three experts validated the questionnaire. Cronbach alpha reliability method was used to determine the internal consistency of the questionnaire. A reliability coefficient of 0.85 was obtained. A total of 97 copies of the questionnaire were returned representing 93 percent return rate. Data collected for the study were analyzed using mean and standard deviation to answer the research questions while Analysis of Variance was used to test hypothesis of no significant difference at P ≤ 0.05 level of significance. The statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) was the tool employed to analyze the data collected. It was found out that 28 challenges were encountered by postgraduate students of agricultural education in thesis writing while 15 coping strategies were adopted by postgraduate students of agricultural education in thesis writing. The recommendations were that postgraduate students of agricultural education who have abandoned their thesis writing should adopt the identified coping strategies to complete their programme among others.

Stany Ja diagnosty edukacyjnego

Amidst the multitude of their professional obligations, teachers also function as informal educa- tional diagnosticians. This role requires maturity and the ability to shed uncontrolled inclinations which could bias diagnoses they perform. Transactional analysis may assist with such a self- recognition task. A feasibility study on how transactional analysis can explain the differences in teachers’ con- cepts of their diagnostic duties has been carried out on a small sample of 30 post-graduate students of education. The students completed two inventories:(1)an original set of four ten-item scales labeled: Procedural (learned by assimilation), Taking a Risk (learned by doing), Theoretician (learned by discovery), and Intuitive (learned by expe- rience).(2)the Egogram representing nine categories of double-level analysis, created in the Research Group for Educational Transactional Analysis in Jan Dlugosz University in Czestochowa. The main findings of the study include the following ones: In students’ opinion, Procedural type of a diagnostician resembles mostly Adult in Adult atti- tude and is free of the Parent in Parent authoritarian flaw. The Taking a Risk diagnostician is closest to Adult in Parent, practice-oriented educator. Theoreticians are also Adult in Parent personalities supported by the Parent in Adult ethical considerations. Intuitive diagnosticians are versatile, associated with all types of Parent and Adult but not with the Childish spontaneous attitude except of certain amount of the Adult in Child’s creativity. Much more research is needed to confirm the findings and to transfer them into acting educa- tional evaluators: homeroom and subject-matter teachers, tutors, and supervisors.

The assessment of the perception of the academic self efficacy of Turkish education graduate students

The purpose of this research is to determine the perception of the academic self efficacy of Turkish Education graduate students. This study applied qualitative research approach and interview method. Master’s students of Erciyes University,Institute of Education Science were chosen as a sample for the purpose, usingclustering method. In this study, interview form of the Perception of the AcademicSelf Efficacy – PASE was used as a means of data collection. The interview form was prepared on the basis of the list of questions of Aslan (2010: Turkish Education Postgraduate Students About their Academic Self-efficacy). For the analysis of personal information, descriptive statistical method was used. In the analysis of the data obtained by interview questions, descriptive analysis method for qualitativeresearch was used. According to the results, Turkish education graduate students perceive their academic self efficacy as not fully adequate. Key words: Turkish education, graduate education, perception of academic self - efficacy

Postgraduate research in Pacific education: Interpretivism and other trends

This article examines research by postgraduate students in education at the University of the South Pacific (USP) between 1968 and 2009. These experienced educators, who later return to their original education sector to influence policy and practice in some way, are producing new knowledge intimately connected to Pacific education systems. The article identifies broad trends in supervision, growth in completed degrees, research area, and national focus, and makes some comparisons with similar research in New Zealand. The article also focuses on how students position their research theoretically, using Lather’s research paradigm typology. The analysis indicates that many of these projects are positioned within an interpretivist paradigm, a few within positivist and emancipationist paradigms, and none at all within deconstructivist paradigms. The authors suggest that a Pacific education system underpinned by socially-critical theoretical perspectives, particularly deconstructive ones, can better respond to the twin challenges of creating universal and equitable access to education and arresting the loss of language, culture, identity, and life skills via rapid globalization.

Speaking truth to power: Understanding education research and the educational turn in South Africa’s new century

Knowledge generation over the decade 1995-2004 in South Africa, and its relationship to the changing nature of socio-economic landscapes, suggests an ever closer relationship between the research produced in higher education, and its social and scientific purposes. These have been identified largely by the State through its regulatory frameworks, economic, and social agendas. In this article we examine the research generation of postgraduate students of education in South African higher education institutions in the first decade after apartheid. Using the Project for Postgraduate Education Research (PPER) as an example, we explore the role of large-scale research projects in South Africa, and how such work might respond to Government priorities, as well as issues identified by society and the academy in partnership with the State.

Cross-Cultural Pragmatic Failure in Computer-Mediated Communication

The study reported in this paper examines the occurrence of cross-cultural misunderstandings in computer-mediated communication (CMC). CMC has become a part of many people’s everyday life; rules of language practice such as politeness and other characteristics of relational communication are blurred. The study will expose subtle conducts that are language and culture specific. It will further explore how these social and culture factors influence language use of native and non-native English speaking national and international postgraduate Education students. In particular, the positive and negative tactics and the depiction of relational regularities and patterns prove to be useful to uncover cross-cultural interactions. Questions that arise are: What is considerate as polite and acceptable and what is rude and intolerable in CMC? Is politeness a luxury we no longer can or want to afford? How is this affecting cross-cultural communication and negotiation in CMC?