Teaching-learning Activities Research Articles

Effects of Teachers’ Digital Leadership on Students’ Learning Outcomes in Selected Secondary Schools in Mfoundi Division-Cameroon

Purpose: Using digital leadership in instructional practices, teachers may or may not empower every student to reach his or her full potential. Hence, the purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of teachers’ digital leadership on students’ learning outcomes in selected schools in the Mfoundi division-Cameroon. The objectives of the study were: To examine the effects of teachers’ digital supervision of instruction on students’ learning outcomes; and to find out the effects of teachers’ digital communication on students’ learning outcomes. Materials and Methodology: The study adopted the descriptive survey design. From an accessible population of 220 teachers who held administrative positions (like principal, vice Principal, discipline master/ mistress and head of department), a sample size of 198 was deemed appropriate for the study. The purposive and simple random sampling techniques were used. Questionnaire was used as instrument to collect data. Cronbach’s alpha coefficient for the questionnaire was 0.874. The data collected was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Findings: The ANOVA results indicated that teachers’ digital supervision of instruction has statistically significant positive effect on students’ learning outcomes (F=2263.7, P-Value 0.000). Similarly, teachers’ digital communication has statistically significant positive effect on students’ learning outcomes (F=6917.1, P-Value 0.000). Implications to Theory, Practice and Policy: Based on the results recommendations were made which include that government should organize capacity building seminars focusing on the integration of technology into teaching learning activities for teachers and school administrators and, teachers should use technology devices to direct, coordinate, and monitor instructional practices so as to positively enhance students’ learning outcomes and improve school success.

The Real Situation and Main Problems of Rural Primary School Physical Education in Current China: Based on the Teaching Students’ Perspectives

The common problem of rural primary school Physical Education (PE) is the same consensus of the education sector in China. According to the materials obtained from the interviews with the students in the teaching practice process, the common problems of China’s rural primary school PE include: insufficient or no physical education class; lack of physical education equipment and sports fields; serious shortage of Physical Education teachers; and nearly no physical education teaching and learning activities based on an established instructional plan. These problems reflect the real state of current rural primary school PE in China, and have always been the basic state of rural primary school PE in China.

Perception and Effectiveness of Online Anatomy Lab Exercise on Undergraduate Students of BPKIHS During COVID-19 Pandemic

Introduction: Online mode of teaching learning activities were started for medical students of Nepal to reduce the risk of spreading virus during COVID-19 pandemic. BPKIHS started the modified online lab exercise (LABEX) for the undergraduate students after six months of pandemic. Objective: The main objective of study was to evaluate the student’s perception and effectiveness of modified online LABEX (prior content video uploading) during pandemic. Methods: The mixed method cross-sectional study design using semi-structured questionnaire was conducted. The questionnaire had sub-sections such as questions regarding students’ means of study, students’ perception on modified online lab exercise during pandemic and reflective writing. We collected the responses from 129 students after institutional ethical clearance and informed consent. Student’s paired test for analysis of effectiveness of modified online LABEX was done by using pre-test/post-test score. Thematic analysis was performed for reflective writing. A p<0.05 was considered as statistically significant. Results: The mean age was calculated as 20.84 year. The modified online LABEX increase the scoring of students for three consecutive sessions with an average score of 1.71; 1.55 & 1.09 respectively (p<0.001). We formulated 15 codes and 3 themes from reflective writing such as strength, weakness and recommendation of modified online LABEX. We found that “Accessibility of recorded Labex” (n=54) was major strength and “less efficient of online LABEX” (n=57) was major weakness. Conclusions: Although physical form of anatomy education is best way of learning but modified online LABEX can be used as alternative during pandemic like situations in future

The Influence of Using Smart Multiplication Table Learning Media (Takalintar) on the Learning Outcomes of Grade III Elementary School Students

Abstract. Teaching learning activities usually occur between teachers and students. Teachers as learning managers, play a role in creating a comfortable and conducive learning climate. Therefore, as a teacher, you must be able to choose and apply effective learning media to achieve learning goals and be able to attract student learning results. The purpose of this study is to determine the influence of the use of TAKALINTAR learning media on the learning outcomes of students in grade IIIA SD Inpres Kuanino 3. This type of research is quantitative research classified as Quasi Experimental research, using a pretest-posttest- control group design. The sampling technique uses a saturated sampling technique with a sample of 30 respondents. The instruments in this study used observation, test and documentation data. The data was analyzed by normality tests, homogeneity and hypothesis tests using t-tests. The results of this study showed that the average score of the pretest-posttest- of the experimental class and the pretest-posttest- of the control class using the t-test, the posttest of the experimental class and the control class was 84.67 > 75.00 with a difference of 1.98 and the pretest of the experimental class and the control class was 50.67 > 51.33. Further through hypothesis testing (Paired Sample T-test) shows that the value of sig. (2-tailed) t-test for Equality of Means of 0.000 < 0.05 means that H0 is rejected and Ha is accepted. The conclusion of this study is that there is a significant influence of the use of smart multiplication table (TAKALINTAR) media learning on the learning outcomes of grade IIIA students of SD Inpres Kuanino 3.

Incidentes críticos envolvendo graduandos de Enfermagem durante a Pandemia de COVID-19

Introduction: The academic environment is considered stressful for students. Knowing the changes in teaching-learning activities and their impacts has become essential to redirect new ways of interacting and facing such adverse situations. Thus, one of the ways to evaluate a situation experienced is by drawing parallels between the behaviors and feelings generated, through the critical incident technique (TIC). Objective: To identify critical incidents (situation, behaviors and feelings) related to academic activities during the COVID-19 pandemic. Method: Descriptive study based on the critical incident technique. The students were recruited via e-mail to inform the characterization items; they were asked to remember an academic situation and report it, listing the behaviors experienced and the feelings that originated. Results: Among the 24 situations, most portrayed the accumulation of tasks, difficulty in dealing with a new way of teaching, difficulties in adapting teachers and students to the strategies used regarding the overlapping of academic and domestic activities. Regarding the behaviors, lack of dialogue, difficulties in adapting activities and acts of understanding were mentioned. As for feelings, the positive ones were gratitude, understanding, feeling of support, learning, happiness; as for the negative ones, anxiety, sadness, anguish and physical fatigue stand out. Conclusion: This study identified critical incidents of nursing students during the pandemic. The data indicate that students experienced great stress during the period, but the impacts on professional training require further studies. Descriptors: Nursing; Teaching; Behavior; Pandemics; Adaptation, Psychological

Tindak Tutur Guru dalam Pembelajaran Bahasa Indonesia di SMAN 4 Pasuruan

This study aims to describe the form of perlocutionary speech acts used by teachers in Indonesian language learning at SMAN 4 Pasuruan. Speech acts used by teachers in learning activities have been widely analyzed by previous researchers, but have not been found specifically discussing perlocutionary speech acts. This perlocutionary speech act is difficult to identify, because it must be accompanied by the context so that it causes influence by the interlocutor. This research uses descriptive research with a qualitative approach. The subject of the research is Indonesian language teachers, while the object of research is Indonesian language learning activities. The instruments in this study consisted of primary instruments, namely the researcher himself, and secondary instruments, namely data collection tables. The data of this research is the teacher's speech when conducting learning activities in class XI. The data source was obtained from the observation at the school located at SMAN 4 Pasuruan. This data collection technique uses observation, recording, interview, documentation, and recording the results of the recording in the form of data transcripts. The data analysis technique uses stages such as data reduction, data presentation, data interpretation, conclusion drawing and verification. The result of this research is the form of perlocutionary speech acts using Leech's theory. The forms of perlocutionary speech acts found include indicators of giving the interlocutor know that, persuade, encourage, annoy, frighten, please, make the interlocutor do something, inspire, impress, divert attention, make the interlocutor think about, relieve, embarrass, attract attention, and tedious. However, no data was found on the indicators of deceiving and inspiring. The form of perlocutionary speech act that is most commonly found in this study is in the indicator of encouraging and making the interlocutor do something.

RESPON PESERTA DIDIK KELAS IV SEKOLAH DASAR TERHADAP PENGEMBANGAN LKPD PENDIDIKAN KONSERVASI TOPIK BAHASAN FLORA TAMAN NASIONAL UJUNG KULON (TNUK) PADA MATA PELAJARAN IPAS

Student Worksheet (LKPD) is one of the learning tools which can help and facilitate teachers in learning activities. The purpose of this study was to determine the response of students to the development of LKPD Conservation Education with the topic of flora of Ujung Kulon National Park (TNUK) in the subject of Science for grade IV Elementary School. This research was conducted at SD Negeri Kota Baru with the research subjects of grade IV students with a total of 23. The study applied descriptive research. The calculation of student responses uses a student response questionnaire, this questionnaire has several aspects, namely the aspect of interest 95%, the aspect of material 98%, the aspect of language 96%, and the aspect of benefits 96%. Thus, an average of 97% was obtained which can be interpreted as "Very Good", it is concluded that students gave a very good response to the LKPD used.

Peningkatkan Hasil Belajar Siswa melalui Strategi Contextual Teaching and Learning (CTL) pada Mata Pelajaran IPAS di Kelas IV Madrasah Ibtidaiyah Swasta Nurul Yaqin Simpang Sungai Duren

This study examines how the Contextual Teaching and Learning paradigm might improve fourth-grade IPAS students' academic performance at MI Nurul Yaqin Simpang Sungai Duren. This study is a classroom action research (PTK) focused on the subject of IPAS concerning force material in the surrounding environment, employing CTL methodologies. The employed data gathering methods included the observation of student and instructor activities, test questions, documentation, and interviews. This PTK was conducted across two cycles, each comprising three meetings. The results of this study are 1) The results of observations of student learning activities and teacher teaching practices in Class IV MI Nurul Yaqin have increased. The outcomes of student learning activities in Cycle I were 57.61%, which climbed to 90.47% in Cycle II. Observations of teacher learning activities in Class IV MI Nurul Yaqin indicated a rise from 61% in Cycle I to 90% in Cycle II. The academic performance of grade IV pupils at MI Swasta Nurul Yaqin, originally below the standard, improved with the use of CTL approaches, achieving an average completeness rate of 59% in cycle I and 85.18% in cycle II. Fourth-graders at MI Nurul Yaqin Simpang Duren can improve their IPAS academic performance using CTL.

Fostering fisheries futures: the promise of localized stewardship education in Nunatsiavut

Nunatsiavut is a self-governing Inuit territory in northern coastal Labrador, where cultural knowledge and social values are incorporated into co-managed subsistence and commercial fisheries. Snow crab (Chionoecetes opilio), known as Putjotik in Inuttitut (the Nunatsiavut dialect of Inuktitut), is a co-managed fishery through the Torngat Joint Fisheries Board (TJFB) and plays a crucial role in sustaining the community of Makkovik. Arctic Char (IKaluk) is also harvested in co-managed subsistence and commercial fisheries, and is a staple in local economies and culture. In 2022, the TJFB partnered with Inuit educators to foster youth stewardship in a project called Paigitsiaguk. The Paigitsiaguk project bridges Inuit and scientific knowledge to nurture cultural values and environmental stewardship through providing place and land-based resources to educators. The project team created a comprehensive database of curriculum outcomes required by the Newfoundland and Labrador school system, and then designed culturally relevant learning activities that presented Inuit knowledge with science and social studies for students in Nunatsiavut. These resources include learning activities that are organized into education kits: one of which is centered on Putjotik and another on IKaluk. The Putjotik kit has 23 activities tailored to meet grade-specific learning outcomes, while the IKaluk kit provides 12 place-based learning activities appropriate for multiple grade levels. By providing localized and culturally relevant education resources to teachers that revolve around stewarding local fish species and their ecosystems, youth are connecting to their communities and to the coastal environment. Educational resources and learning activities reflect Inuit and scientific knowledge systems, and position teachers as facilitators to encourage students to learn from the land and Elders, knowledge holders, fishers, scientists, and managers. This paper reflects the promising futures that this work can contribute to; from facilitating intergenerational knowledge transmission from knowledge holders to youth, to encouraging self-determined stewardship activities that encourage care for the ocean and its fisheries.

Analysis of the Effectiveness of Communication Media in Teaching and Learning Activities of Teachers and Students at SD Negeri Cempaka Putih Barat 01 Post Covid-19 Pandemic (Zoom Meeting Case Study)

Analysis of the Effectiveness of Communication Media in Teaching and Learning Activities of Teachers and Students at SD Negeri Cempaka Putih Barat 01 Post Covid-19 Pandemic (Zoom Meeting Case Study)

Emotion–Identity–Agency Triangle in Practicum Experience: A Pre-service Second Language Teachers Development of Critical Emotional Reflexivity

Earlier research has established that language teachers’ identity work is intertwined with emotions and called for incorporating emotions in language teacher education. Yet, there is limited research investigating how teacher education programmes pedagogize identity, emotions and agency to help pre-service teachers gain critical emotional reflexivity. To respond to this gap in the literature, we pedagogized Kayi-Aydar’s emotion–identity–agency triangle via three teacher learning activities in a critical practicum course in a pre-service English language teaching programme in Turkey: reflective emotion diary; auto-ethnography; and critical issues analysis and advocacy project. In this study, we explore a Korean pre-service language teacher's (Iris's) case to demonstrate how she navigated her emotions, identity and agency throughout the practicum course with the help of these teacher learning activities and critical, dialogical supervision in our course. At the beginning of the term, Iris expressed anxiety due to her novice non-native pre-service teacher identity. Yet, as she gained critical emotional reflexivity, Iris could reflect on her emotions critically, transform her internalized deficit view of her identity as a novice non-native pre-service teacher and perform her multicultural and multilingual identity in her emerging pedagogy. We argue that findings from this study offer evidence that when intentionally and systematically supported by second language (L2) teacher educators through the design of teacher learning activities, pre-service L2 teachers can develop critical reflexivity of their emotions and emotion labour and recruit this awareness for teacher agency even over a short period of time and in contexts of power imbalance such as pre-service practicum experience. We offer recommendations for L2 teacher educators.

ASSESSMENT OF TEACHING AND LEARNING ENVIRONMENTS AMONG SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN MKPAT ENIN LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF AKWA IBOM STATE, NIGERIA

This paper defines teaching and learning environments to be diverse physical locations, contexts, and cultures in which students learn. The paper also describes Secondary education as that education that follows immediately after primary education and is also referred to as post primary education. The purpose of the study is to assess teaching and learning environment among secondary schools in Mkpat Enin Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State specifically the extent to which ICT has been integrated for teaching and learning environment among secondary schools in Mkpat Enin Local Government Area Descriptive research design was used in the study. The population comprises 14 secondary schools in the study area with all the teachers and principals as sample. The instrument used for the collection of data was tagged Teaching and Learning Environment (TALEO) questionnaire. The modify Likert type rating scale of strongly Agree (4) Agree (3) Disagree (2) Strongly Disagree (1) was apply. Findings among other were that teaching and learning environment among secondary schools in Mkpat Enin Local Government Area are not conducive. The paper concluded that school administrators with the stakeholders should create a conducive environment for teaching and learning in the schools in order to enhance better teaching-learning activities.

SKILLS LABORATORY APPROACHES AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP LEARNING ACHIEVEMENT IN UPPER SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN RWANDA A CASE OF NYAGATARE DISTRICT

The need for entrepreneurial skills impacting the quality of teaching and learning entrepreneurship all over the world. More emphasize have been made in teaching entrepreneurship but entrepreneurial outcome for graduate in upper secondary is still critically. The study aimed to investigate the effect of skills laboratory approaches on learning achievement in entrepreneurship in upper secondary school of Rwanda. Study utilized descriptive research. The study included a total population of 3661 individual consisting of 49 deputy head teachers in charge of studies, 102 entrepreneurship teachers and 3510 upper secondary students from upper secondary schools in Nyagatare district, the researcher determined the sample size of 361 respondents using Yamane formula. structuring questionnaire, interview and observation are employed as tools of data collection. The result indicated that 86% strongly agreed that skills laboratory boast learners engagement and confidence in activity presentation, 87.9% strongly agreed that project based assessment enable learners creation of project in student business clubs, 85.9% of respondents strongly agreed that Students business club helps learners to demonstrate entrepreneurship knowledge or skills learnt in real life, 92.2% strongly agreed that demonstration of skills lab improve pitching skills and creativity of project. Results revealed thatskills laboratory approach have positive significance to learners performance since the p value is less than 0.005 underpinning the positive relationship between skills laboratory and entrepreneurship learning achievement.The study recommends thatThe study recommends learners to become actively engaged in group discussion, presentation so that improve learners performance that result in interaction and improve their entrepreneurial skills and entrepreneurship achievement rather than memorizing for purpose of getting marks.entrepreneurship teachers to use skills laboratory approaches in teaching entrepreneurship lesson so as to help learners to solve community problem. School administration for participate in capacity building of entrepreneurship teacher by organizing community of practices and continuous professional development to boost the capacity of in service teachers on using skills laboratory approaches in teaching and learning entrepreneurship. curriculum designer and policy makers due to their role in education, to revise entrepreneurship curriculum into another image of teaching-learning activities, techniques, approaches, and assessment methods of entrepreneurship for practice purpose in secondary school of Rwanda.

Special Issue on Informatics Education: < Integrating Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility into a Data Storytelling Model for Health Informatics Education >.

Health informatics education is pivotal in integrating diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) principles into curricula and leveraging data with equity considerations. Integrating clinically driven data with other datasets is crucial to comprehensive understanding of patient care demographics, experiences, and outcomes to create equity-minded data storytelling. Publicly available Healthy People 2030 (HP2030) resources complement academic EHRs, supporting tailored learning activities in informatics education to enhance educational utility through a DEIA lens. This case report describes the expansion of an existing DEI checklist to an updated DEIA checklist for preparing future informaticians to collect and critically evaluate DEIA features using this checklist in creating equity-minded data storytelling. An equity-minded data storytelling model and the HP2030 framework were utilized to develop the DEIA checklist. We employed an informal cognitive walkthrough to expand the DEIA checklist and evaluate the DEIA measures or characteristics within datasets from the HP2030 social determinants of health (SDOH) 5 topics using this checklist. We reviewed 76 available SDOH-related datasets and added 6 measures to "demographics" and 7 to "skills, abilities, & accessibility" of the DEIA checklist. Our evaluation of the DEIA checklist verified HP2030's inclusion of all measures, except "religions/beliefs." All DEIA measures were linked to equity and accessibility, 1 in inclusion, and the inclusion of 3 characteristics comprising the category "language" and 6 characteristics comprising the category "images." Results highlighted the accessibility and comprehensiveness of HP2030 demographic data resources, considering SDOH factors and promoting inclusive data representation to address health disparities. The DEIA checklist provides a structured tool in facilitating unbiased data collection and visualization of SDOH-related data in data storytelling through an equity-informed lens. Integrating an equity-minded data storytelling with frameworks like HP2030 enriches health informatics education, broadens students' understanding of health disparities, and supports evidence-based interventions for improved health outcomes.

Penerapan Media Card Short Dalam Meningkatkan Keterampilan Berbicara Bahasa Arab

The development of science and technology, the power of teachers to improve education is getting stronger. Teachers have an important role in creating effective learning This research aims to find out whether the application of short card media can improve the Arabic speaking skills of class VIII students at SMPS Darul Qur'an Al-Maftuh Sungai Gelam, Muaro Jambi. This research was carried out at SMPS Darul Qur'an Al-Maftuh Sungai Gelam, Muaro Jambi. The research was carried out in January-February of the 2023/2024 academic year. This type of research is classroom action research (PTK). The data and data sources used in this classroom action research are observations, interviews, documentation and so on. This research is classroom action research (PTK), this classroom action research is action research carried out by teachers with the aim of knowing and improving the quality of implementation of learning in the classroom. The method used in this research is the classroom action practice research method (PTK). Based on the results of this research, the results of student and teacher learning activities in cycle 1 reached a score of 78.09% and in cycle II it increased to a score of 83.98% and the increase in learning outcomes based on student test scores was the largest in cycle I, namely with a score of 76 and in cycle II got a score of 90, from each cycle the average score increased to 80,5. Based on the research results, it can be concluded that the application of Short card media improves the Arabic speaking skills of class VIII students at SMPS Darul Qur'an Al-Maftuh Sungai Gelam, Muaro Jambi. Proven to improve student learning outcomes

Development and Validation of an Interprofessional Community-Based Teaching-Learning Module for a Family Adoption Programme for Indian Medical Undergraduates.

Medical education aims to prepare graduates to address society's health requirements effectively. The majority of assessments are summative and provide a minimal chance for feedback. The evaluation techniques and teaching-learning activities place a greater emphasis on knowledge than on attitude and abilities. They might also lack soft skills, including professionalism, ethics, doctor-patient relationships, and communication, as they are a hidden part of the traditional curriculum. Learning activities that take place in a specific setting, like a community, are referred to as community-based education. To develop and validate the Interprofessional Teaching-Learning Module for the Family Adoption Program for medical undergraduates. Method: This was an educational observational study to develop a module for a family adoption program for Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) students, which began from the first professional year and extended to the second and third professional years. Experts from different health professions were identified, and a preliminary meeting was called to discuss the purpose of the module and the role and responsibilities of each. Institutional Ethics Committee clearance was obtained after the submission of the synopsis. An interprofessional team was formed and communicated regarding the purpose of the module, and the initial draft was prepared with their contribution. The panel of experts for relevancy validated the module, and the content validity index derived, which was 0.92, was considered good and relevant. The Interprofessional Teaching-Learning Module for the Family Adoption Program is a comprehensive and collaborative approach for equipping students' necessary knowledge and skills to facilitate successful adoption and support families effectively.

Study to Assess the Effectiveness of Live Demonstration on Knowledge Regarding Surgical Management of Inguinal Hernia Repair among Nursing Students in Selected College of Nursing, Hubli

Introduction: Teaching skills are essential for learning needs of the students, the teaching is aided by the various technique of teaching. Live demonstration is a technique of educating students in actual scenario with demonstration of the content of topic, here the teacher performs the in presence of the students the topic of discussion. In the present study the technique of live demonstration practiced to improve the knowledge of nursing students in surgical management of inguinal hernia repair included pre, intra and post operative management of surgery. Objectives: the study designed to assess the effectiveness of live demonstration on knowledge regarding surgical management of inguinal hernia among nursing students. Methodology: one group pretest posttest design used for 156 nursing students selected by simple random sampling technique, a structured knowledge questionnaire was designed having content validity of 0.89 and reliability of 0.92 used to collect and assess knowledge of nursing students on surgical management of inguinal hernia repair, pretest was conducted following which a live demonstration on periopertive management of inguinal hernia repair was demonstration in class room and by live video visuals from operation theater while performing surgery following which the post operative care was demonstrated till the stabilization of the patient. The posttest was conducted to assess the gained knowledge using same questionnaire used in pretest. The collected data was analyzed using SPSS 16.0 version statistical analysis and the findings were tabulated and computed. Results: The findings of the study revealed that, the pretest knowledge of the nursing students regarding surgical management of inguinal hernia repair was inadequate, out of 156 nursing students, assessed 145 students had inadequate knowledge, and following live demonstration the knowledge, improved to adequate to almost all the students signifying that live demonstration is effective method of teaching learning activity. The t value was 69.56 for 0.05 level of significance. Conclusion: teaching is an art, which include the colors of various techniques to make classroom live and living. Live demonstration is the best method, which bring in the actual experience and spot learning of the students and the retention of the content discussed in live demonstration is high along with ability to compare, judge and reason the care and outcome of the learning. The study recommends that the nursing education should be equipped with live in demonstration, which brings students out of imagination of content and picture memorization from books and articles. Live demonstration should be included in teaching learning activity of the student’s class learning.

ROMANIAN STUDENTS’ KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDES AND BEHAVIORS REGARDING SUSTAINABILITY. TESTING AN ASSESSMENT INSTRUMENT

Universities’ role in promoting sustainability and the sustainable development goals (SDGs) is increasingly highlighted in the recent years. The high number of academic papers published in this field stands as proof of the attention received by these subjects. The integration of sustainability in education implies the transmission of principles, values and practices in teaching-learning activities, research and in institutional operations. While studies focus on the type of educational and extracurricular actions that universities may promote in order to develop more sustainability aware students, less attention is devoted to the actual impact of these practices. The Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) approach starts with the assessment of the current state: what is being done in universities and what is the level of sustainability awareness among the main actors, mainly students. Having a concrete picture regarding the students' level of sustainability literacy, we can identify opportunities to develop new implementation practices that address the sustainability issue within higher education. Currently, there is no consensus over a tool to evaluate the knowledge, attitudes as well as behaviors of students regarding sustainability and the SDGs. Nevertheless, efforts were made in this line of research. Our study focuses on the methodologies to assess these aspects. Based on previously used tools, we developed and tested a questionnaire on Romanian student population. The tested scales for sustainability knowledge, attitudes and behaviors highlight the different pillars of sustainable development, namely: social, economic and environmental, revealing that more focus is given to the latter.

Perceptions of Self-directed Learning among Preclinical Medical Students at Universiti Teknologi MARA

Self-directed learning (SDL) is an important aspect of lifelong learning. Medical knowledge is constantly changing, so, medical students need good SDL abilities to ensure improvement in their academic performance and future work service. This study aimed to evaluate the perceptions of SDL abilities among preclinical medical students at Universiti Teknologi MARA and identify the factors that motivated or discouraged them to undertake SDL. A validated 20-item SDL instrument (SDLI) was used to assess the SDL abilities of the students. They were also asked to respond to open-ended questions about the influencing factors in implementing SDL. The 232 respondents were comprised of Year 1 and Year 2 medical students. The mean SDLI scores of the respondents were higher than those obtained in other studies using the same instrument, indicating these respondents had good SDL abilities. No significant differences in SDLI scores were identified in terms of gender, academic background, or academic year. Important promoting factors for implementing SDL reports included guidance from lecturers or faculty, as well as support from friends and family. Distractions from current technology and social media were listed as significant discouraging factors for implementing SDL. The influencing factors reported in this study should assist the faculty in designing appropriate teaching-learning activities that guide and support SDL.

Variation of HE academics’ experiences of designing MOOCs

There has been abundant research studying academics’ conceptions of and approaches to teaching, learning and other academic related activities in higher education (HE). However, most of the research in this area is in the traditional classroom HE context and there is very limited research in online teaching and learning contexts. Furthermore, research tends to mainly focus on academics’ experiences in teaching and learning in general, and there is very little research studying academics’ course designs, in particular. MOOCs (massive open online courses) originally emerged as a new online teaching form linked to connectivism and large networks of learners, which attracted a lot of interest from HE providers and researchers. Although there is plenty of research literature studying learners’ MOOC experiences, there is a lack of research on academics’ experiences of MOOCs. With more and more HE institutions partnering with MOOC platforms, HE academics involved in designing MOOCs are asked to follow certain procedures and prescribed formats in the designing process. There is hardly any published research on academics’ experience of designing MOOCs to understand the possible variations in their understanding of and approaches to designing MOOCs and the possible links between their perceptions and networked learning theory. This research aims to fill this research gap through a phenomenographic study of the UK HE academics’ experience of designing MOOCs to gain understanding of the possible variation in their perceptions and discusses links with different dimensions of networked learning. The research results could inform course designers and MOOC development stakeholders as well as provide insights to researchers in this area. I (first author) interviewed 22 academics from different UK HE institutions who have experience of designing MOOCs. The initial data analysis based on 14 transcripts revealed 5 categories of HE academics’ perceptions of designing MOOCs. This short paper presents the preliminary analysis of the first stage and discusses the results through the lens of networked learning. The next step is to continue data analysis through consulting the remaining transcripts to refine and modify the emerged categories and constitute the structural relationship between the categories to form the final outcome space.