TM Attitudes Research Articles

Teachers' perceptions towards the utilization of tablets for educational purposes in Tanzania

The primary purpose of this study is to explore teachers' perceptions on the use of tablets for educational purposes in Tanzania for primary and secondary schools’ level of education. It aimed to identify three key variables, which are knowledge and skills on use tablets; school’s environmental support and sustainability of using tablets; and the attitudes of teachers towards using tablets. This study employed quantitative research approach by adopting post-positivist paradigm using research survey with Likert scale questionnaires through online. The study used the Technological Acceptance Model (TAM) to investigate the teachers’ attitudes towards using tablets for teaching and learning process. 81 respondents were involved in the study, samples were selected from five zones (North, South, West, East and Central zone). The data were analysed quantitatively using Winsteps version 5.7.0 through Rasch Model. Results found that (-0.18) of teachers had high knowledge and skills in the use of tablets, (-0.032) teachers agreed that the environment supports internet, electricity and accessibility of internet bundle on the use of tablets, and (-1.09) there was a strongly agreed for the acceptance of the use of tablets while (+0.47) teachers disagreed for the acceptance of the use of tablets for educational purposes in Tanzania.

COMPARING STUDENTS’ ATTITUDES IN AN ONLINE PEER ASSESSMENT: DOES ANONYMITY MATTER?

Peer assessment is a fundamental activity aiming to involve students to participate actively in their own learning processes. In the context of EFL online learning, the peer assessment was conducted in the online mode as well. This study aimed to: 1) compare students’ attitudes in doing an online peer assessment in two different conditions of anonymity, 2) explore students’ perceptions of the anonymous and identifiable online peer assessment.  Seventy students of the English language education department in a private university participated in this study. Assigned to two different conditions, i.e anonymous and identifiable online peer assessment, the students were engaged in a Workshop activity, which was an asynchronous Moodle-based online peer assessment. Each student assessed three peers’ works as well as provide feedback comments. A questionnaire with close-ended and open-ended questions was used to investigate the students’ attitudes as well as perceptions of the different peer assessment formats. An independent samples t-test was performed to compare the attitude scores of both groups. The result indicated that students in the anonymous group showed a slightly better attitude compared to those in the identifiable group, yet the difference was not significant (t = 1.164, p > .05). From the questionnaire result, it was also found that the students in the anonymous group had more positive perceptions towards online peer assessment activity. These findings imply that while the anonymous online peer assessment is more favoured by learners, it might not be able to guarantee positive development in students’ overall aspects of attitudes.

Students’ Attitudes in Experiencing Bilingual Environment in Islamic Boarding Schools

This study aimed to describe students’ attitudes in experiencing a bilingual (English-Arabic) environment placed in their Islamic boarding school. This research employed a survey design. The data was obtained from a five-point scale questionnaire, which consisted of 15 statements, administered to 88 junior high school students of the 2021-2022 academic year. Then, the data was descriptive statistically analyzed The finding showed that students had positive attitudes towards the English-Arabic environment. The students believed that the bilingual environment could assist them to acquire the two languages easily by being used to having the languages with their friends and teachers around their daily lives. Furthermore, the research finding also reveals that the bilingual environment increased students’ vocabulary items, made students have better bilingual communication among their friends, and provided circumstances of language learning that influenced bilingual learners Tujuan dari penelitian ini adalah untuk mendeskripsikan perilaku siswa terhadap lingkungan berbahasa Inggris dan Arab yang terdapat di pondok pesantren mereka. Data dari penelitian ini diperoleh dari kuesioner yang berisi 15 peryataan dengan 5 skala Likert yang diberikan kepada 88 siswa SMP tahun ajaran 2021-2022. Data dianalisa Dengan statistic deskriptif. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa para siswa menunjukkan perilaku positif tentang keberadaan lingkungan berbahasa Inggris dan Arab di pondok pesantren. Mereka meyakini bahwa lingkungan tersebut dapat membantu mereka dalam mnguasai kedua bahasa tersebut dengan membiasakan diri untuk menggunakan kedua bahasa tersebut dalam berkomunikasi dengan teman dan guru di dalam kehidupan mereka sehari-hari. Selain itu, hasil penelitian juga mengungkapkan bahwa lingkungan dwibahasa tersebut dapat meningkatkan jumlah kosa kata baru, meningkatkan kemampuan komunikasi dwibahasa antar teman, dan menciptakan suasana pembelajaran bahasa bagi siswa dwibahasa

English Students’ Attitudes toward the Implementation of Multiple Distanced-Learning Platforms during Covid-19 Outbreak

This preliminary case study was to describe how the enactment of multiple distanced learning platform has impacts of students’ attitudes during the covid-19 outbreak. . The data were garnered from the zoom and whatApps mediated English learning in the university in Madura. The results indicate not only psychological but also hardskills of the English arose. The students felt their motivation to have online learning develop as well as their attitude toward their English learning. As immerging data are still limited in terms of coverage and still in on going interpretation and analysis, the students English skills become significant to investigate in the future. Studi kasus pendahuluan ini untuk mendeskripsikan bagaimana pemberlakuan platform pembelajaran jarak jauh ganda memiliki dampak terhadap sikap siswa selama wabah covid-19. . Data dikumpulkan dari zoom dan whatApps yang dimediasi pembelajaran bahasa Inggris di universitas di Madura. Hasil menunjukkan tidak hanya psikologis tetapi juga hardskills bahasa Inggris muncul. Para siswa merasakan motivasi mereka untuk mengembangkan pembelajaran online serta sikap mereka terhadap pembelajaran bahasa Inggris mereka. Karena data yang muncul masih terbatas dalam hal cakupan dan masih dalam interpretasi dan analisis yang sedang berlangsung, kemampuan bahasa Inggris siswa menjadi penting untuk diselidiki di masa depan.

Chileans with Disabilities Studying Abroad

Currently, the mobility of students with disabilities in order to increase their knowledge abroad is very low, and there is quite little information about the reasons that explain this issue.The present work, therefore, intends to identify the perceptions about the mobility experience of professionals with disability, who undertook a master’s degree abroad with the support of the Chilean state. This qualitative study was carried out through interviews to three of the total twelve professionals who were the first and only beneficiaries from the program. The interview and its analysis were based on the experts’ selection of minimum national indicators that ensure a safe mobility, taking into account the official list of indicators from the European Union. The results show an optimum level of fulfillment from the host institutions in the area of infrastructure and the presence of a support unit for this group. On the other hand, the opposite is found in the professors’ attitude towards the adequation of the teaching-learning process. In regard to the perception of the program, it is positive but at the same time they stress the necessity to review the application process in order to make it more flexible and inclusive, as well as improving the financial support assigned, which in some cases is not sufficient to fulfill the requirements of      mobility in conditions of equity.

“English Learning Is Like…” : Metaphorical Perceptions of Prospective English Teachers About Language Learning Process

The present study aimed to examine the attitudes and types of metaphorical perceptions of male and female prospective English teachers (PETs) towards their English learning process. Elicitation sheet with the prompt “English learning is (like) … because …†was used to collect the data. The data were qualitatively analyzed by listing, naming, categorizing, and determining the metaphors. The results of the elicited metaphors reveal that male and female PETs’ attitudes towards English learning process include positive, negative, ambivalent, and neutral perceptions. Both male and female PETs viewed English learning in different attitudes. Male PETs generated more negative attitudes than the positive ones, while female PETs produced more positive attitudes than the negative ones. The findings also show that the metaphors were categorized into several types such as enjoyable activity, construction work, movement/journey, experience, planting/farming, exploration, and things. These types of metaphor imply the importance of the socio-cultural background of the learners. In conclusion, the metaphors help to determine appropriate strategies, methods, and materials for English teaching and learning.

Kurdish Students’ Attitudes Towards the Use Of Films In Teaching Literary Works In EFL Classroom

The current study investigates Kurdish students’ attitudes towards the use of films in teaching literary works at universities in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. The study also highlights whether using films in teaching literary works is beneficial or not and what challenges are faced by them. The data were collected by using questionnaires and interviews from 60 students aged between 18-24 years old from both private and public universities. Out of 60 students, 15 were randomly chosen to be interviewed. Results show that some students consider teaching literary works using films is beneficial, as it encourages students to study and read more literary works and it also makes them actively interact with the content which helps them remember the events more effectively. However, the study also reveals that some Kurdish students consider teaching literary works using films is a waste of time, and this discourages interaction between students and their teacher. In addition, ‘boredom’ and ‘language difficulty’ are the other two major challenges faced by Kurdish students.

Kurdish Students’ Attitudes Towards the Use Of Films In Teaching Literary Works In EFL Classroom

The current study investigates Kurdish students’ attitudes towards the use of films in teaching literary works at universities in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. The study also highlights whether using films in teaching literary works is beneficial or not and what challenges are faced by them. The data were collected by using questionnaires and interviews from 60 students aged between 18-24 years old from both private and public universities. Out of 60 students, 15 were randomly chosen to be interviewed. Results show that some students consider teaching literary works using films is beneficial, as it encourages students to study and read more literary works and it also makes them actively interact with the content which helps them remember the events more effectively. However, the study also reveals that some Kurdish students consider teaching literary works using films is a waste of time, and this discourages interaction between students and their teacher. In addition, ‘boredom’ and ‘language difficulty’ are the other two major challenges faced by Kurdish students.

“English Learning Is Like…” : Metaphorical Perceptions of Prospective English Teachers About Language Learning Process

The present study aimed to examine the attitudes and types of metaphorical perceptions of male and female prospective English teachers (PETs) towards their English learning process. Elicitation sheet with the prompt “English learning is (like) … because …†was used to collect the data. The data were qualitatively analyzed by listing, naming, categorizing, and determining the metaphors. The results of the elicited metaphors reveal that male and female PETs’ attitudes towards English learning process include positive, negative, ambivalent, and neutral perceptions. Both male and female PETs viewed English learning in different attitudes. Male PETs generated more negative attitudes than the positive ones, while female PETs produced more positive attitudes than the negative ones. The findings also show that the metaphors were categorized into several types such as enjoyable activity, construction work, movement/journey, experience, planting/farming, exploration, and things. These types of metaphor imply the importance of the socio-cultural background of the learners. In conclusion, the metaphors help to determine appropriate strategies, methods, and materials for English teaching and learning.

Students’ Perception of Quality of Education in Tamale Technical University

This study examines students’ perception of quality of education in Tamale Technical University. Three hundred and fifty (350) respondents were sampled for the study with the aid of a simple random sampling technique. The study used descriptive cross sectional approach. The respondents were selected from departments of the four [4] faculties of the university. A written questionnaire was administered on respondents and the data was analyzed using tables, percentages and statistical package for social sciences (SPSS). The study focused on these indicators, perception of quality of education, lecturers’ attitude as well as the learning environment. The study revealed that, students perception about quality of education are largely influenced by beliefs, practices in comparative terms with other higher education institutions, lecturers attitude, routine processes, students expectations as well as procedures and systems in the university. Perception of quality of education are rated significantly on students experiences in the learning processes and there is not much differences in the perceptions level in year of study. Quality of education is largely determined by perceptions and experiences by beneficiaries of education. Recommendations have been made on how to address the gaps in the creation and maintenance of perceptions of quality in the management of higher institutions.

Students’ Attitudes toward Hybrid Teaching Model

Hybrid teaching is teaching that uses an online multimedia learning system but does not disappear face-to-face sessions, the students hybrid teaching models attitudes at class. This research has been conducted using a qualitative descriptive method. According to Meleon (2011) qualitative research is a research procedure that intends to understand the phenomenon of what is experienced but research subjects holistically (intact). The aim of the research to find out Students hybrid teaching mode attitudes at class. The researcher describes the results of this study. The researcher found several forms of students'' attitudes towards hybrid teaching. Researchers gave questionnaires to students who had done online learning data collection was carried out on August 7-11, 2021). The questionnaire is based on Meleon (2011) regarding: students' attitudes towards English class face-to-face and blended learning instructions. Based on the results of research and discussion, it shows that the percentage of students' attitudes towards hybrid teaching is at a moderate level. Where the sufficient level is 76%-100% Sufficient or Good which is shown in the percentage table. Students' attitudes towards hybrid teaching are at a high level.Keywords: Students’ Attitudes, Hybrid Teaching Model

Attitude toward Business and Business Intention of ABM and STEM Students of Senior High School of Divine Word Colleges in Ilocos Region, Philippines: The Role of Education

The purpose of this study was to determine the level of attitude of ABM and STEM students toward business and their business intention and to find out if there is a difference of attitude toward business and business intention of both strands (ABM and STEM). To establish the theories of the study, the literature was reviewed. The study used descriptive correlational research design and to gather the data, the validated questionnaires were used. The population of the study was grade XII ABM and STEM students of the Divine Word Colleges in the Ilocos Region. The study found that their attitude toward business and their business intention is high and based on Pearson r correlation, it was found that there is a significant correlation between attitude toward business and business intention and therefore, the hypothesis is accepted. However, based on the F-test which measures the difference between the attitude of ABM and STEM students’ attitude toward business and their business intention, the study found that there is no significant difference between both strands when it comes to their attitude toward business and their business intention

Designing and validating a questionnaire on oral health care knowledge, attitude, and practice of dental staff

Objective: This study aimed to design a valid questionnaire to evaluate knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) of Mashhad Dental school staff about oral health care and to assess the validity and reliability of this instrument. Methods: The "Dental Staff Awareness of Oral Health Care” (DSAOHC) was divided into three concepts; knowledge, attitude and practice. Ten experts of Mashhad Dental School contributed to design the questionnaire and assessed the face and content validity (I-CVI and S-CVI/AV) in two rounds. The necessity of each item was evaluated according to Lawshe’s Content Validity Ratio (CVR). Construct validity, internal consistency, and reliability were assessed using confirmatory factor analysis, homogeneity coefficients, and test-retest by distributing the instrument among 207 dental staff working in other dental schools and private clinics.    Results: Based on the acceptable results of I-CVI, S-CVI/AV (>0.7), and CVR (> 0.62), the final version of DSAOHC was approved with 34 questions, including 10 questions about background information, 8 questions for the knowledge, 5 questions for attitude and 11 questions related to practice. Cronbach's alpha coefficients were acceptable for all domains. The RMSEA criterion was ≤ 0.05 and its upper band confidence interval (CI 90%) was ≤ 0.1. Also, CFI indicated the suitability of the model (the desired value of CFI> 0.9). Inter-Class Correlation/ICC revealed the appropriate measure (ICC=0.998). Conclusion: The measures showed that this instrument is valid and reliable, also culturally adjusted to and acceptable for this community. It may adequately evaluate staffs’ knowledge, attitude, and practice toward oral health.

PDB23 Investigating Internists’ Endocrinologists’ and Paediatricians’ Attitudes in Regards to the VALUE of Innovative Diabetes Mellitus Self-Monitoring Technologies in Greece

Innovative technologies of continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) and flash glucose monitoring (FGM) contribute significantly to metabolic control and improve quality of life of diabetic patients. In this study, the attitudes of expert physicians regarding the value of innovative glucose self-monitoring technologies in Greece were investigated. Two Advisory Boards (AdB) were set up by Key Opinion Leaders-KOLs (from Academia, National Health System Hospitals and Private Sector): the first consisted of Internists/ Diabetologists (N = 12) and the second consisted of Endocrinologists/Pediatricians (N = 11). Participants were asked to complete a structured questionnaire developed by experts on health services research, in which answers were given through a five-point Likert scale. A common data analysis (taken into consideration both internists/ diabetologists and endocrinologists/pediatricians answers) was conducted using the SPSS.20v. The vast majority of participants (96%) recognized the importance of innovative self-monitoring technologies for the effective management of diabetes mellitus (DM) and was willing to use them in their clinical practice. In particular, 96% of physicians considered as quite/very important the Ambulatory Glucose Profile (AGP) report provided by the FGM technology. Moreover, participants reported that FGM technology contributes to reducing fluctuations in glucose levels (100%), increasing the time in range (TIR) and reducing the time in hypoglycemia (96% of participants). Additionally, the majority of physicians (87%) stated that FGM technology contributes to achieving savings by reducing complications.Thus, 84% of physicians considered FGM technology should be reimbursed for patients with DM2, in addition to patients with DM1.However, participants highlighted the need for further development and improvements of FGM technology (e.g measurement accuracy at off charts values). The vast majority of participants considered the FGM technology as of high value and consequently recommended its coverage by social security schemes for patients with DM.

Development of an Instrument for Teachers’ Attitudes towards Academic Supervision performed by Supervisors in Schools of Special Education

This study aims to develop an instrument for teachers’ attitudes toward academic supervision performed by supervisors in special education. This is an instrument development study working under the modified six-step development framework introduced by Djaali and Sumadi. The validity of the study was examined by two experts in measurements. The instrument was tested on 94 teachers in schools of special education in South Sulawesi. The validity and reliability were estimated using the confirmatory factor analysis by Lisrel program. The instrument produced from this attempt were 44 questions in a form of likert scale; the validity was 0.90 and the reliability was 0.96, and it was done under a tridimensional structure (i.e., monitoring, assessment, and coaching). The dimension of monitoring measured the execution of eight education standards observed by school supervisors. The dimension of assessment measured the performance of supervisors during a class supervision that was taught by a teacher of special education. The dimension of coaching measured the supervisors’ performance in giving motivation, delivering training, and providing feedback for teachers of special education. It was done in order to make the teachers more professional and independent in completing their tasks and responsibilities as teachers for special education. Therefore, the instrument produced from this research is expected to be able to describe the teachers’ attitudes toward academic supervision performed by the school supervisors.

STUDENTS'S INTENTION TO USE EMOTION-AWARE VIRTUAL LEARNING ENVIRONMENT: DOES A LECTURER'S INTERACTION MAKE A DIFFERENCE?

Purpose: This study explored students’ perspective of using emotion-aware Vertual Learning Environment (VLE) in Malaysia’s higher education institutions. The purpose is to investigate the relationships among dimensions of Technology Readiness Index (TRI), attitude, intention to use VLE, and lecturer interaction. The outcomes concerned the emotions involved in the educational process of Malaysia’s higher education institutions. Methodology: Quantitative data were collected via an online survey from 260 students. An empirical analysis was then conducted using structural equation modelling (Smart PLS) in two phases: (1) examining the direct effect of students’ attitude on VLE adoption intention and (2) examining the indirect effect of constructs using lecturer interaction as a mediator. Findings: The findings revealed a significant mediating role of lecturer interaction on the relationship between attitude and intention to use VLE across the student cohort. Inhibitors, such as insecurity and discomfort, were less significant in affecting students’ attitude towards emotion-aware VLE. The results indicate that students are motivated to use VLE when lecturers understand their emotions and react accordingly. Significance: This is one of the studies pertaining to emotions in VLE and lecturer interaction in higher education institutions. The results facilitate an understanding of the pedagogical role of lecturer interaction as a practical learning motivation. It is of particular interest to curriculum and e-learning stakeholders looking to improve students’ interactions with the VLE systems. Apart from extending the current literature, this study has significant practical implications for education management in higher learning institutions.

Does Whistleblowing on Tax Evaders Reduce Ingroup Cooperation?

Whistleblowing is a powerful and rather inexpensive instrument to contrast tax evasion. Despite the deterrent effects on tax evasion, whistleblowing can reduce trust and undermine agents’ attitude to cooperate with group members. Yet, no study has investigated the potential spillover effects of whistleblowing on ingroup cooperation. This paper reports results of a laboratory experiment in which subjects participate in two consecutive phases in unchanging groups: a tax evasion game, followed by a generalized gift exchange game. Two dimensions are manipulated in our experiment: the inclusion of a whistleblowing stage in which, after observing others’ declared incomes, subjects can signal other group members to the tax authority, and the provision of information about the content of the second phase before the tax evasion game is played. Our results show that whistleblowing is effective in both curbing tax evasion and improving the precision of tax auditing. Moreover, we detect no statistically significant spillover effects of whistleblowing on ingroup cooperation in the subsequent generalized gift exchange game, with this result being unaffected by the provision of information about the experimental task in the second phase. Finally, the provision of information does not significantly alter subjects’ (tax and whistleblowing) choices in the tax evasion game: thus, knowledge about perspective ingroup cooperation did not alter attitude towards whistleblowing.

An inquiry on publishers’ criteria for recruitment of translators

This study aimed to investigate the criteria considered by Iranian publishers for admitting translators. In order to achieve this purpose, the qualifications developed by Samuelson-Brown were employed to design a 19-item Likert scale questionnaire on a continuum from ‘strongly agree’ to ‘strongly disagree’. Some of the qualifications mentioned in the questionnaire were academic degree, translation competence, work experience, proficiency test, translators’ sense of responsibility for their task and the direct relationship between the publishers and the translators. Next, it was handed out to 140 Iranian publishers who were randomly selected as the participants from different parts of Iran for data collection. The collected data were analysed both qualitatively and quantitatively using the chi-squared test to see whether there were any significant relationships between each item and the participants’ attitudes. The qualitative results showed that almost all participants agreed with considering most qualifications as their own criteria to recruit translators, of course with some variations in their opinions on the significance of the variables of interest. However, the result of the chi-squared test showed a significant relationship only between four variables of inclusion of proficiency test, computer literacy, the translators’ relationship with the publisher and gender. The results can have some practical implications on translation course developers, students and teachers.  Â

Determination of Employees' Attitudes Concerning Contributing Factors and Early Detection for Prostate Cancer in Baghdad University Colleges in bab-Almudam

ABSTRACT: Background: Prostate cancer is increasingly becoming one of the most significant health problems facing Iraqi men and the commonest cause of cancer related death in men globally. Aims of the study: The objective of this study to determination of employees’ attitudes toward contributing factors and early detection methods for prostate cancer among male staffs of Baghdad's University Colleges in bab-Almudam Methodology: A cross sectional descriptive design study was carried out among 100 male staff working in colleges of Baghdad University in Bab-Almudam region. Male staffs that agreed to participant and were recruited on giving oral consent, Data was collected by distributing structured a self-administered questionnaire, written in Arabic was used. Results: The Majority of participants (66.0%) were ages between (38 - 47) years, the median age was 41 years (range, 18- 62) years (mean=41.8+ S.D =10.035). Regarding marital status, the majority (85 %) was married, followed by (13%) who were single and (2%) who were divorced or widowed. Approximately half (45%) of participants had PhD education, following by (33 %) university, (8%) secondary school, (7%) MSc and (4%) institute education and (3%) intermediate education. Furthermore, (94%) of study participants reported they had no family history of prostate only (6%) reported had family history PCa. A total of (98%) were living in urban area and reminder lived in rural area. Most of the study participants 48 (56%) had positive level, while (20%) of them had strong positive and only (24%) of total participants had negative attitude about early detection and intention screening of PCa.

Comparison of Students’ Attitudes in Science Subjects In Urban And Rural Areas

This study aims to determine differences in attitudes held by students who are in rural and urban areas. Because attitude is the most important thing in 21st century education. The methodology in this study uses quantitative research with a survey design that uses a total sample of 2815 students based on total sampling collection techniques. In this study, using the ANOVA test with Poshoc further tests to determine differences in attitudes held by students. The results of this study found differences in attitudes held by students in rural areas and students in urban areas, that there were significant differences held by students in science subjects. Therefore, by knowing the differences that are owned by urban and rural students can be used as a benchmark by the government to develop education that can also focus on students' affective, not just cognitive so that teachers can also apply appropriate learning methods aimed at making students able to have a good attitude that will help themselves both in school and in the community.