Teaching Purposes Research Articles

Teachers’ Perceptions and Experiences of using Digital Technology in Undergraduate Classrooms in Pakistan

The purpose of this study was to explore the perceptions and experiences of teachers about the use of technology in faceto-face and online classes. A qualitative case study design was adopted in this study. The year III and IV teachers of thenursing programme who were using technology in their teaching were invited to participate in this study. Data werecollected through semi-structured interviews, class observations and analysis of the university’s virtual learningenvironment course sites. The teachers felt that students wanted activities that were engaging, and through Mentimeter,Kahoot and Padlet this was possible in the class. With online classes, the teachers were using Microsoft Teams, whereasthe students preferred the Zoom platform as they thought it was more user-friendly. It was also felt by the teachers thatstudents do not give much preference to PowerPoint presentations now and want a variety that can enhance their learningexperience. However, the teachers also faced issues with the computers or internet not working smoothly in the class andfor this, they had to keep a backup plan in place. For online classes, the teachers shared course material on Whatsapp orMoodle course sites for students who could not come online during a specific time. The teachers also admit that their ownability to use technology in face-to-face or online classes counted a lot towards how their lessons shaped up. The findingsconcluded that the universities should provide sufficient support and training to teachers in using technology effectivelyfor teaching purposes.

Authentic Materials And Task Design: A Teaching Amalgam

The use of authentic materials in foreign language teaching has been a growing practice over the last few decades. With the emergence of technology, these materials are more accessible, particularly in digital formats. Despite being primarily designed for non-pedagogical uses, these materials have become valuable resources for English language learning. However, using them effectively for teaching and learning purposes requires a systematic structure. This article examines the use of authentic materials in relation to various language skills, with a particular focus on listening comprehension framed within a pre-, while-, and post-stage cycle at both local and international levels, with the latter referring to the Colombian context. A review of scholarship shows that the use of authentic materials is a seemingly frequent practice among teacher-researchers, but not among a larger audience of practitioners. Additionally, studies do not provide guidance on how to prepare practitioners to design appropriate activities that complement authentic materials. Therefore, after examining studies and based on our teaching-research experience, we aim to contribute to the implementation of a pedagogical strategy that combines the systematic use of authentic materials with listening comprehension and a task design that provides a balance of challenge and support.

Application Research of Digital Human Virtual Anatomy System in the Teaching of "Human Computed Tomography Anatomy"

Objective This study aims to explore the application effect of the digital human virtual anatomy system in the teaching of "Human Computed Tomography Anatomy." Methods Students from the Medical Imaging major of the School of Medical Technology, Xi'an University of Chinese Medicine, from the 2019 and 2020 cohorts, were selected as the research subjects. They were divided into a control group (n=113) and a study group (n=124). The control group received conventional teaching methods, while the study group utilized the digital human virtual anatomy system for instructional purposes. The teaching effects were compared between the two groups. Results The study group achieved higher scores in theoretical assessments, skill assessments, completion of assignments, and participation compared to the control group, with statistically significant differences (P<0.05). Conclusion The teaching reform based on the digital human virtual anatomy system is beneficial for cultivating students' learning and problem-solving abilities. It demonstrates significant teaching effectiveness and can be widely promoted and applied in future teaching processes.

Uncovering the Expectations of English as a Foreign Language Students: Key to Improving Teacher Expertise and Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge Mastery

Introduction: In the current digital age, it is crucial for education to evolve to meet the changing demands of students. English language education is one such field that has been impacted by the growing expectation among students that their teachers use technology to facilitate learning. The objective of the present study was to assess the expectations of English as a Foreign Language (EFL) students regarding the proficiency of their English teachers in using technology for instructional purposes, using the Technological, Pedagogical, and Content Knowledge (TPACK) framework.
 Methodology: This study utilized a quantitative approach, and data was collected through a 22-item e-questionnaire aimed at measuring the students’ expectations on their English teachers’ TPACK competence. The sample consisted of 363 EFL students from two different universities in the Mekong Delta of Vietnam.
 Results: The results showed that pedagogical knowledge was the most expected component by students, while technological knowledge was the least expected. To put it differently, the students desired their English teachers to excel in structuring lessons, managing the classroom, evaluating and assessing their progress, and being able to provide various learning experiences that catered to the unique requirements and preferences of individual learners. However, the students were not particularly concerned about their teachers’ proficiency in using various digital tools, hardware, software, and technological resources.
 Conclusion: The findings of this study highlighted the importance of improving English teachers’ TPACK competence through TPACK-centered professional development programs. This study provides practical strategies for the same and opens up avenues for future research in this field.

Postmodern Artistic Discourse in the Training of Students in Pedagogical Specialties

This text puts the primary emphasis on the relationship of postmodern time and artistic discourses in the context of the Higher School. It attempts to analyse the advantages and disadvantages of postmodernism in relation to artistic texts that can be used in pedagogues’ training. Postmodernism is a whole movement of ideas that changes perspectives on both learning and teaching, and it is up to us to use them successfully. Particular attention has been paid to reading as a cultural and pedagogical phenomenon, which significantly determines the direction in understanding and interpreting artistic texts for instructional purposes. The message of this study is that the artistic pedagogical discourse and texts of postmodernism have new characteristics and issues that are to be known and applied correctly by teachers in their professional thinking

We-VoltamoStat: A wearable potentiostat for voltammetry analysis with a smartphone interface

Wearable technology, such as electronic components integrated into clothing or worn as accessories, is becoming increasingly prevalent in fields like healthcare and biomedical monitoring. These devices allow for continuous monitoring of important biomarkers for medical diagnosis, monitoring of physiological health, and evaluation. However, an open-source wearable potentiostat is a relatively new technology that still faces several design limitations such as short battery lifetime, bulky size, heavy weight, and the requirement for a wire for data transmission, which affects comfortability during long periods of measurement. In this work, an open-source wearable potentiostat device named We-VoltamoStat is developed to allow interested parties to use and modify the device for creating new products, research, and teaching purposes. The proposed device includes improved and added features, such as wireless real-time signal monitoring and data collection. It also has an ultra-low power consumption battery estimated to deliver 15 mA during operating mode for 33 h and 20 min and 5 mA during standby mode for 100 h without recharging. Its convenience for wearable applications, tough design, and compact size of 67x54x38 mm make it suitable for wearable applications. Cost-effectiveness is another advantage, with a price less than 120 USD. Validation performance tests indicate that the device has good accuracy, with an R2 value of 0.99 for linear regression of test accuracy on milli-, micro-, and nano-Ampere detection. In the future, it is recommended to improve the design and add more features to the device, including new applications for wearable potentiostats.

Computer Tools for Modeling Swing in a Jazz Ensemble

Abstract In a jazz ensemble, the timing patterns within each instrument and between instruments vary systematically depending on the instrument, tempo, style, and other parameters. A set of computer tools is described to modify these timing parameters according to previous measurements, allowing a large flexibility to account for individual differences and preferences. Four different jazz trio recordings were transcribed and annotated, and the tools were then used to recreate or modify the timing patterns in synthesized versions. These tools can be used for pedagogical purposes in which a music example can be played with different timing interpretations. It can also be used as a tool for research in which controlled factorial experiments can be designed.

Enhancing Novice Educator Confidence to Teach Synchronously Online During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Educators’ perceptions of their teaching competence contribute to feelings of wellbeing and teaching effectiveness, which in turn impacts the quality of student learning. In the context of emergency remote online teaching brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic, introductory workshops on educating using Zoom videoconferencing software were conducted at a large Australian university. The workshops sought to equip educators with the skills and confidence needed to make the transition to online teaching, thus reducing educator anxiety and improving their wellbeing. Attendees of the workshops were surveyed (104 responses) to understand what influenced educator confidence development, perceptions of successful online teaching approaches, and advice for new online educators. The Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge (TPACK) framework was used to analyse educators’ open-text responses. The study demonstrated that both professional development and practical experience increased novice online educator confidence and expertise in using videoconferencing software to engage learners. Educators required a foundational level of technological knowledge before they could develop a deeper understanding of how the technology could be used for pedagogical purposes. Short just-in-time workshops were identified as an influential factor in fostering initial confidence and expertise, which worked to reduce educator apprehension about using the technology, ultimately contributing to enhanced wellbeing and student outcomes.

A Difficulty-Informed Approach to Developing Language Assessment Literacy for Classroom Purposes

Abstract For pre-service teacher education, it would be helpful to know how difficult certain aspects of language testing and assessment are for students. Such information could serve different pedagogical purposes including program design and lesson sequencing. This paper, situated in the context of pre-service teacher education at the University of Vienna, Austria, presents an approach to developing language assessment literacy (LAL) which takes account of the difficulty of language assessment. To obtain empirical difficulty estimates, the items of a LAL test for pre-service teachers of English were converted into statements of ability, knowledge, and understanding and then calibrated by means of multi-facet Rasch analysis based on performance data from 420 students. Qualitative content analysis was used to identify clusters among the calibrations, thus characterizing the difficulty continuum. The findings show a clear progression which can offer a basis for the design of teacher education programs. I first report on the process of generating the difficulty estimates. Then I describe the resulting difficulty continuum with particular emphasis on classroom-based assessment. Finally, I suggest design principles for difficulty-informed assessment courses, illustrating how they could be implemented in the teacher education program at the University of Vienna.

Implementation Strategies for Sustainable Vehicle Fleet Management

Abstract Research purpose. Against the backdrop of climate change, pressure is growing in the transport sector to reduce CO2 emissions. Numerous companies are therefore setting specific targets to curb the CO2 emissions of their own vehicle fleets. As a rule, this requires the replacement of combustion vehicles by vehicles with alternative drives. In addition to the selection of suitable technologies, economic aspects play a prominent role in this transformation process. Based on a practical case study, potential implementation strategies for achieving a specific CO2 target are to be examined for a parcel service provider. The focus here is on a fleet of diesel combustion vehicles from the small van class with a permissible total weight of fewer than 3.5 tons, which are to be replaced by vehicles with electric drive (BEV) in order to achieve a specific CO2-savings target. The research objective can be easily extended if one considers, on the one hand, that climate protection cannot be limited to individual countries but has to take place on a global level and, on the other hand, that sustainable strategic planning of vehicle fleets also concerns other vehicle segments, such as company cars for individual transport or trucks with higher permissible gross weights. Design / Methodology / Approach. In the first step, framework conditions and criteria are defined that are needed for an evaluation of the implementation strategies. In the second step, a practical case study is constructed. In the third step, different scenarios and strategies for the conversion of the vehicle fleet are designed in order to achieve the set CO2-emission targets. In the last step, the economic and ecological effects of the different strategies and scenarios are measured and analysed with the help of the calculation tool "DIPO-tool", which was developed at the Ludwigshafen University of Business and Society LUBS for research and teaching purposes. To evaluate sustainability, in addition to the established metrics for Tank-to-Wheel (TtW) and Well-to-Wheel (WtW), a holistic life cycle approach is implemented that takes into account emissions during vehicle production. Findings. Against the backdrop of expected further technological development and numerous parameters with a considerable leverage effect on economic and ecological evaluation criteria, it seems advisable from the point of view of sustainability to use alternative drives as soon as possible. From the point of view of economic efficiency, a more differentiated picture emerges depending on the framework conditions, e.g., subsidies. Originality / Value / Practical implications. The originality of the approach lies in the application of a practical case study and the attempt to reduce the complexity of the decision problem by using an Excel-based calculation tool. The value of the study lies in the realisation that, due to the complexity, a simple optimisation approach does not seem viable but rather the evaluation and analysis of different scenarios. The practical impact can be described in the sense that the used DIPO-tool can provide effective support for sustainable implementation strategies for vehicle fleets.

A Simple Cost-Effectiveness Model of Screening: An Open-Source Teaching and Research Tool Coded in R.

Applied cost-effectiveness analysis models are an important tool for assessing health and economic effects of healthcare interventions but are not best suited for illustrating methods. Our objective is to provide a simple, open-source model for the simulation of disease-screening cost-effectiveness for teaching and research purposes. We introduce our model and provide an initial application to examine changes to the efficiency frontier as input parameters vary and to demonstrate face validity. We described a vectorised, discrete-event simulation of screening in R with an Excel interface to define parameters and inspect principal results. An R Shiny app permits dynamic interpretation of simulation outputs. An example with 8161 screening strategies illustrates the cost and effectiveness of varying the disease sojourn time, treatment effectiveness, and test performance characteristics and costs on screening policies. Many of our findings are intuitive and straightforward, such as a reduction in screening costs leading to decreased overall costs and improved cost-effectiveness. Others are less obvious and depend on whether we consider gross outcomes or those net to no screening. For instance, enhanced treatment of symptomatic disease increases gross effectiveness, but reduces the net effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of screening. A lengthening of the preclinical sojourn time has ambiguous effects relative to no screening, as cost-effectiveness improves for some strategies but deteriorates for others. Our simple model offers an accessible platform for methods research and teaching. We hope it will serve as a public good and promote an intuitive understanding of the cost-effectiveness of screening.

Reform and Innovation in Guzheng Education Teaching Model

The reform and innovation of the Guzheng (Chinese zither) education and teaching model are of great significance in cultivating students' music literacy, creativity, and comprehensive abilities. The traditional Guzheng education model emphasizes technical training but often overlooks students' personalized development and holistic cultivation. The reformed and innovative teaching model can better stimulate students' creativity and expressive abilities by encouraging their participation in activities such as composition and performance. Personalized learning and teaching are important directions for Guzheng education reform, tailoring instructional content and progress to students' interests and characteristics while providing personalized feedback and guidance. Integration of modern technological methods is also a crucial aspect of Guzheng education and teaching model reform, utilizing online resources for learning and communication, as well as employing multimedia technologies such as audio and video for teaching and demonstration purposes, thereby offering diverse, convenient learning approaches and teaching resources. Through reform and innovation, Guzheng education can better meet students' needs and promote their comprehensive development in music literacy, creativity, and overall abilities.

Teaching Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in Zimbabwean Polytechnical Colleges: Success and Challenges

The aim was to investigate the success and challenges of Information Communication Technology (ICT) in Zimbabwean Polytechnics. The study was guided by the objectives that included assessing the success in common computing skills levels among the staff and students, investigating levels of usage of ICT skills adoption and integration between students and staff, and to investigate the challenges in ICT skills adoption and integration between staff and students. Relevant literature was covered in chapter two. The literature was presented by referring to different researchers that wrote on challenges of ICT adoption and integration in the form of constructive argument by the aid of authors in support and those against. The research adopted interprevist research philosophy he target population of the study constituted 220 employees of the polytechnics and was reduced to 140 making use of sample size determination model by Krejice and Morgan. Operating systems, word processing, spreadsheets, presentation software, and use of the internet were the common computing skills level among the staff and students. Frequency use of ICT tools in teaching and learning, frequency use of computers and the Internet for teaching and learning purposes, mandatory use of computers for teaching and learning, students being conversant with the use of ICT tools, and having a college budget to support ICT skills development determined the levels of usage of ICT skills adoption and integration between students and staff. The challenges in ICT skills adoption and integration between staff and students were lack of funding from the government and stakeholders, improper ICT infrastructure, expensive hardware and software costs and lack of skills and expert knowledge. The recommendations of the study were that the institutions should upgrade their ICT infrastructure and resources in order to maintain the success in computing skills level of staff and students, come up with short computer courses with diverse computer packages to enhance the level of ICT skills usage of staff and students and identify critical needs in the community and come up with potential projects to sustain themselves and build a reliable ICT infrastructure.

Introducing virtual classrooms for undergraduate physiology teaching during the COVID-19 pandemic: Acceptance by students and subjective impact on learning.

COVID-19 pandemic and complete lockdowns brought about major changes in the education system. There was a sudden obligatory shift toward the utilization of digital resources for teaching and learning purposes in those critical times. Medical education, specifically physiology teaching comprises much of laboratory works and hands-on trainings; such curriculums are very difficult to implement in the virtual mode. The present study was designed to evaluate and validate the efficiency and impact of online physiology teaching through a virtual classroom system in a class of 83 first year undergraduate MBBS students. Questions based on the availability and use of technology, ease and effectiveness, the adeptness of faculty, and learning outcomes were circulated among the undergraduate MBBS students of a tertiary medical college and hospital via digital mode and responses were recorded and analysed. Validation through principal components and factor analysis had showed that the online teaching is not much effective and has a limited application in the physiology education of undergraduate MBBS students. Our study revealed that virtual physiology teaching to undergraduate medical students during COVID-19 pandemic had a moderate level of effectiveness.

An unreported innervation of the coracobrachialis longus by the radial nerve: a potential pitfall for clinicians

PurposeThe aim of the presented case is to describe an unprecedented innervation of the coracobrachialis longus muscle by the radial nerve.MethodsAn 82-year-old body donor at death was subjected to a routine anatomical dissection for teaching and research purposes at the Department of Anatomical Dissection and Donation in Lodz, Poland.ResultsWe have found an additional branch of the radial nerve, which departed from it just below its beginning. Its initial section ran alongside the radial nerve in the axilla, then headed medially accompanying superior ulnar collateral artery. Then, it reaches the coracobrachialis longus muscle and is the only one to innervate it.ConclusionsThe brachial plexus (BP) is very variable and well understood. Nevertheless, we must remember that there may still be variations in its structure, which may involve problems at every stage of diagnosis and treatment of diseases associated with its structures. Their knowledge is extremely important.

Education System in Bangladesh Amid COVID-19: Traditional Scenario, Emergency Protocols, Challenges and a Proposed Sustainable Conceptual Framework

This study demonstrates how significantly the COVID-19 pandemic has affected Bangladesh’s formal education system. Despite the fact that Bangladesh introduced Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in educational practices before the pandemic, effective ICT deployment could not be integrated at all levels. Even though online classes and other print- and electronic media-based approaches evolved into the “new normal” in an effort to address the difficulties brought on by the pandemic, both teachers and students have faced and continue to encounter many challenges. A convergent parallel mixed method design was followed for this study. Data were collected from 205 Bangladeshi students and 50 Bangladeshi teachers through semi-structured questionnaires. In addition, 11 parent interviews and 12 Key Informant Interviews were conducted. According to the findings, the lack of proper training for teachers, poor socio-economic conditions, lack of internet availability and speed, the shortage of ICT equipment, students not being technologically exposed, and the disruption of electricity are major issues hindering the fruitful implementation of online education. Creating an ICT framework, providing subsidised internet for students and instructors for instructive purposes, promoting alternative means to carry on formal education, dedicating instruction hours in TV and radio channels, ensuring proper IT infrastructure and tools, and taking initiatives to promote the learning management system can play a significant role in creating the ideal environment to promote online education. In summary, this study suggests a holistic framework to continue formal teaching-learning in different levels of education to achieve sustainable development goals (SDG) without any disruption in emergency contexts such as the COVID-19 pandemic.

X-ray powder diffraction in education. Part II. Intensity of a powder pattern.

This article is the second part of a series dealing with the description and visualization of mathematical functions used to describe a powder diffraction pattern for teaching and education purposes. The first part dealt with the instrumental and sample contributions to the profile of a Bragg peak [Dinnebier & Scardi (2021 ▸). J. Appl. Cryst. 54, 1811-1831]. The second part, here, deals with the mathematics and physics of the intensity in X-ray powder diffraction. Scholarly scripts are again provided using the Wolfram language in Mathematica.

An innovative pedagogical simulation and animation of a shovel-truck system

This paper aims to simulate and animate a shovel-truck system in an open pit mine using Arena® Software for teaching and learning purposes. The shovel-truck system is the use of loading and dumping units in the transportation of materials. The shovel-truck system has wide application in open pit mining. Animation of a shovel-truck system in Arena® is a reflection of the logic defined by the module’s flowcharts. Arena® software is a widely used simulation software based on Discrete Events. The data were analysed by an input analyser tool in Arena® software to get distributions and expressions for the shovel-truck system. The shovel-truck system was then modelled in the software. The developed animated model depicts the exact activities in open pit mines.

Accessory head of the semitendinosus muscle: an unusual variation.

Various studies regarding the morphology of the muscles of the hamstring compartment have exhibited anatomical variations in terms of origin or insertion points. However, variation of the semitendinosus muscle is uncommon. In this case we report an accessory head of the semitendinosus muscle. During routine dissection for medical teaching purposes, a unilateral morphological variant of the semitendinosus muscle was noted on the left side in an 82-year-old female. The accessory head of the semitendinosus muscle originated lateral to the midpoint of the semitendinosus muscle. Fibres of the accessory head originated from the medial border of the long head of biceps femoris as well as the midpoint of the semitendinosus. The accessory head had a common insertion point with the semitendinosus muscle. This case report adds to the existing body of knowledge about the semitendinosus muscle, which is of anatomical and clinical value. Knowledge of the anatomical variants is essential for anatomists and clinicians and may avoid misinterpretation during diagnostic procedures.

Collections of Arctic Plants, Lichens, and Fungi in the Natural History Museum, University of Oslo, Norway

The Arctic has been, and is, an area of focus for the botanical and fungal (lichenized fungi included) collections at the Natural History Museum of Oslo. These collections house more than 233,000 unique Arctic specimens, the oldest dating back more than two centuries. The vascular plants account for 63 percent, lichens 30 percent, and fungi 7 percent. The Arctic collections have a circumpolar representation with emphasis on mainland Norway (48 percent) and Svalbard (13 percent), followed by Arctic America (10 percent), Greenland (9 percent), and Arctic Russia (8 percent). The Oslo herbarium and fungarium house collections from important polar expeditions like Fram-2, Gjøa, and Maud, but also of many expeditions where collecting biological specimens was the main purpose. The number of new collections was highest in the decades 1930 to 1939 and 2000 to 2009 with each around 35,000 new specimens. In the 1990s, a DNA Bank was established for DNA extracts and tissue samples, and it houses today 22,879 Arctic accessions of fungi, lichens, and plants. In times of climatic change and a tense geopolitical situation, the herbarium and fungarium at NHM-Oslo represent an invaluable source for biological information about the Arctic. We welcome the use of our collections for research-, nature management-, and teaching purposes.