bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Tinkering With The Traditional To Assess And Promote Quality Instruction: Learning From A New And Unimproved Instructor Evaluation Instrument
Authors: Amrein-Beardsley Audrey , Haladyna Thomas
Published: March 2016

For over 30 years survey instruments have been used in colleges of higher education to measure instructional effectiveness. Extensive research has been conducted to determine which items best capture this construct. This research study was triggered by a college of education’s enthusiastic but failed attempt to create a new and improved instructor survey based on this research. Researchers found that the new instrument was no better than its predecessor. Student halo ratings contaminated results, reliability was lower than expected, and the survey results indicated one single dimension – general teaching effectiveness.  Two associated variables of considerable interest, course relevance and rigor/demand, were also contaminated by student halo rating. Based on these findings and the extensive literature on student surveys of teaching effectiveness, we argue that traditional surveys based on conventional items may be valid for evaluating global teaching effectiveness and other summative purposes but not for the formative, self-diagnostic, and reflective purposes anticipated. New ways of evaluating teaching in higher education are presented and discussed.  The article shares insights into theory-based survey development and a plan for validation.
Educational Leadership Preparation: What Supervisors, Candidates, And Mentors Said
Authors: Tubbs J. Eric , Holliday H. E.
Published: March 2016

The findings of this study identified practicum areas that meet the educational demands of candidates while highlighting practicum areas that need improvement. The study contributes to the knowledge base of the field by drawing upon feedback from university supervisors, school mentors and program candidates to evaluate and improve the practicum experience in the educational leadership program. Program candidates are in the best position to discuss their recent experiences of exposure to the real world. Supervisors and mentors can witness from their first hand experience how effective practicum activities work. Responses from supervisors, mentors and candidates regarding leadership practicum experiences are valuable to program developers in their future program redesign effort. Practicum experiences expose candidates to real-world school leadership experiences. Unfortunately, because of all kinds of conditional limitations, such practicum experiences can only be offered in conjunction with candidates' regular work in school. However, leadership practicum experiences can be well planned with a high collaboration of supervisors, mentors and candidates who have an invested interest in school improvement. In this study, what we learn from the differences of perceptions among supervisors, mentors and candidates is a caution to all stakeholders that we need to do a better job to prepare the next generation of school leaders. Supervisors, mentors and candidates need to form a coalition to explore other options, especially out-of-the-box strategies, to deliver a highly effective practicum program for potential educational leaders.
Teaching To Think: Applying The Socratic Method Outside The Law School Setting
Authors: Peterson Evan
Published: March 2016

An active learning process has the potential to provide educational benefits above-and-beyond what they might receive from more traditional, passive approaches.  The Socratic Method is a unique approach to passive learning that facilitates critical thinking, open-mindedness, and teamwork.  By imposing a series of guided questions to students, an instructor can challenge students to think for themselves, learn from their mistakes, and give them the necessary tools they will need to assess situations they will encounter in both their professional and personal lives.
Principal Preparation Programs: Perceptions Of High School Principals
Authors: Styron, Jr. Ronald A. , LeMire Steven D.
Published: March 2016

There has been an abundance of research documenting perceived deficiencies in traditional principal preparation programs, but little field data have been collected. As such, the authors of this study sought to assess the satisfaction of practitioners, high school principals, with their preparation programs. Questionnaires were received from 374 participants located at schools within four southeastern states. Using descriptive and inferential statistics, data were generated and analyzed illustrating frequency of response, means, and standard deviation from 13 key questions relating to the principalship. Findings included apparent content with preparation programs in all areas of responsibility identified with the exception of preparation for addressing the needs of special populations. These findings could be of importance to universities as they reorganize principal preparation curriculum to be more connected to K-12 issues.
Faculty-Study Groups Support School Improvement Efforts
Authors: Hilliard Ann
Published: March 2016

This article focuses on effective professional interactions of teachers and administrators as faculty-study groups in school improvement practices and educational reform to improve instruction and learning. The emphasis on practical approach promises to create conditions for continuous systemic change and academic improvement. The author incorporated current knowledge of effective practices and innovative strategies into the faculty-study groups to improve teaching, learning, collaboration, and meet high academic standards. In faculty-study groups, research-based best practices for teaching excellence and learning, in addition to continuous focus on effective collaborative group efforts on “data use” in the decision making process for school improvement are shared among members and colleagues.  Working together allows faculty-study groups to examine formative and summative students’ data reports and to determine priority agenda goals. Coming together as a focused study group, faculty members collaboratively identify students that are at risk of meeting standards on state assessment tests.  The study groups seek ways to implement appropriate intervention strategies or accommodations in their plan to meet the individual needs of students. Not only these, faculty-study groups are able to prepare, revise and/or establish new goals for the school improvement plan and develop an implementation and evaluation rubric for the plan.  Moreover, the groups assist the school improvement leadership team to promote school improvement practices throughout the school.  Creating a culture of accountability, showcasing success stories, providing a monthly update to the School Improvement Leadership Team (SILT), and evaluating the faculty improvement plan on the goals set forth, is another role performed by the faculty-study group. This article offers several views on how the responsibilities of faculty-study groups are identified and implemented in two middle school environments in a large school district on the east coast of the United States of America.  A survey distributed to thirty-two participating members of each group provides insight on how the study groups feel about their role in school improvement.  The expected outcomes of the faculty-study group are to improve the skills and practices of all faculty members, continuous participation in professional development efforts, and show how study groups can make a positive impact on school improvement and student achievement.
Teachers As Learners: Implications Of Adult Education For Professional Development
Authors: Beavers Amy
Published: March 2016

Effective communication with teachers is a critical element of any successful professional development.  Teachers are the foundational component of any educational system.  It is vital that adequate attention is focused on appropriate and effective training of these teachers.  Ideally, professional development offers a means of collaborative support and training to collectively conquer challenges facing teachers both in and out of the classroom.  The need for continued professional development is widely accepted.  Certainly, programs based on high-quality and meaningful teacher development can affect teachers’ skills and attitudes in the classroom, further increasing the quality of education the students receive.  There are numerous resources and studies detailing the components of effective professional development; however, these models can be quite extensive and potentially overwhelming to an administrator who already has enough tasks to occupy their time.  By incorporating a few basic principles established within the field of adult education, teacher professional development can dramatically increase its effectiveness.  This paper outlines very briefly some of these concepts and offers simple and applicable suggestions for teacher professional development programs such as: the characteristics of adult learners, self-directed learning, transformative learning and critical reflection.
Evaluation Study Of Competencies Of Secondary School Teachers In Punjab In The Context Of Classroom Management
Authors: Saeed Safia
Published: March 2016

There are so many characteristics and traits of personality and all the characteristics, qualities and competencies need training, grooming, improvement and development. The best classroom environment is one that results in efficient learning. Discipline involves employing guidance and teaching techniques to encourage students to become self-directive and therefore to create an atmosphere conducive to learning. Teachers are decision-makers as they manage the daily routines of their classrooms. Some teachers squeeze out every minute of learning possible. They are highly organized and well prepared, and they constantly think and plan ahead. This doesn’t mean that they create a cold classroom atmosphere where students feel unwelcome. Rather, they are warm and enthusiastic teachers who are simply well organized and equally well versed in teaching. The major objective of this study was as to investigate the problems of classroom management of the secondary school teachers in Punjab. The population of the study consisted of the heads of the teacher training institutions, teacher educators, heads of secondary schools, secondary school teachers, and students. The sample included randomly selected ten heads of teacher training institutions, 50 teacher trainers, 800 hundred heads of secondary schools, 4,000 secondary school teachers and 4,000 students. Four questionnaires (one each for heads, teacher trainers, teachers and students) were developed for collection of data. Data were collected, analyzed and interpreted in the light of objective by using the Chi- Square. It was concluded from the study that the majority of respondents agreed that secondary school teachers were aware of time management skills, kept the classroom environment conducive for learning, and improved the learning skills of the students by using different behavior modification techniques. The majority of respondents agreed that secondary school teachers were dealing with the students in a non-psychological way; it was the common areas in which secondary school teachers had weak competencies. For improving the classroom management skills, in-service short courses should be planned and attendance of secondary school teachers in such courses should be made obligatory. For maintaining the discipline in the class, teacher should be trained in such a way that they properly understand each and every method with its proper use in particular situations. Short courses, seminars and symposia should be organized on a regular basis to refresh the knowledge of working secondary teachers. Teachers should understand human, as well as educational, psychology and apply it in their teaching process in the classroom.
Utilizing Online Exams: A Case Study
Authors: Schmidt Stacy M.P. , Ralph David L. , Buskirk Bruce
Published: March 2016

Technology has opened a wide range of possibilities for the college classroom.  Thus, the classroom has changed in a variety of ways.  Some courses have been converted to fully online courses.  Students and instructors do not have any face-to-face contact in these courses.  Other courses have converted a portion of their courses to online.  These classes are generally referred to as Hybrid classes.  Students and instructors meet face-to-face for a portion of the course and complete online assignments for the remainder of the course.  Some other courses have maintained their face-to-face course but have integrated technology into those courses.   Instructors have utilized a variety of technologies that include but are not limited to:  Live Chats, Threaded Discussions – Forums, Powerpoint Presentations, Email, Videos, Software, Spreadsheets, Word Processors, Online Portals, Electronic Portfolios/Projects, Online Exams. This is a case study of the implementation of online exams in a traditional classroom.  Students are given a paper and pencil exam that has been utilized previously in other courses as the midterm.  Then an online exam was utilized in the courses.  The case study looks at the success of the exam from the point of view of the students and instructors.  Students overwhelmingly indicated that the online exam was superior to the paper exam. Students indicated that the online exams provided an opportunity for students to complete the exam at a time that was best for them.  They were able to pick a time that reduced anxiety.  The online exam also provided immediate feedback on how they did.  Faculty indicated that although the online exam does have a few glitches and there are concerns about cheating, it was effective and proved useful.  Further studies need to be done regarding the online exam to assure that it is an accurate evaluation of student learning.
Meeting The Need For Special Education Teachers For Culturally Linguistically Diverse Students With Disabilities
Authors: Peterson Patricia , Showalter Stephen
Published: March 2016

This paper describes why special education teachers are needed to meet the needs of the increasing number of culturally and linguistically diverse students with disabilities in the United States.  The paper presents innovative approaches to recruiting and training culturally responsive special education teachers.
Impact Of Organizational Climate On Performance Of College Teachers In Punjab
Authors: Raza Syed Ahmad
Published: March 2016

The study aimed to determine the impact of organizational climate on performance of college teachers. The researcher selected the area of college education as the focus of the study. The study was delimited to all the public sector degree colleges of Punjab. Population of this study consisted of all the principals and teachers working in public sector degree colleges of Punjab and the simple random sampling technique sample was used. The sample consisted of 70 degree colleges, their heads, and five teachers from each sampled college. In order to measure the variables, the research instruments were the questionnaires for principals and teachers. Each questionnaire consisted of 30 items. The data collected from sampled colleges were tabulated, analyzed and interpreted in light of the objectives of the study by applying statistical tools of research, such as mean, standard deviation, standard error of means, and coefficient of correlation.  On the basis of analysis, it was concluded that the majority of public college principals opined that open climate was very highly and positively correlated to teacher performance, but paternal and closed climates were negatively correlated to teacher performance. In light of the conclusions, it is recommended that teachers may be given chances to discuss their academic problems in groups, seminars, and conferences. Workshops may be arranged more for this purpose. The management style of principals may be improved through in-service training, seminars, workshops and departmental meetings and supervision. Performance of teachers can be increased by promoting open, as well as controlled, climates and avoiding closed climate. These climates may be ensured through administrative policy and measures.
Faculty Satisfaction With Distance Education: A Comparative Analysis On Effectiveness Of Undergraduate Course Delivery Modes
Authors: Koenig Robert J.
Published: March 2016

Higher education faculty can and do teach courses delivered in a variety of ways. But, to date, little research has been done on the effectiveness of different delivery modes. This study sought to fill that void by comparing the effectiveness of three undergraduate course delivery modes: classroom, online, and video conference at a technical institute in a mid-Atlantic state. Faculty (N = 160) completed questionnaires on effectiveness, in terms of satisfaction, for each mode. The questionnaire response rates were 86% for faculty. In terms of faculty satisfaction, the results revealed that classroom delivery was more effective than technologically delivery with online being slightly more effective than video conference. The results of this research should assist leaders in higher education to understand the benefits associated with different undergraduate course delivery modes. In addition, the study provides leaders with a useful tool for securing and applying this type of information when making decisions about the modes best suited to serve their academic communities.
Practice Schedule And The Learning Of Motor Skills In Children And Adults: Teaching Implications
Authors: Zipp Genevieve Pinto , Gentile A. M.
Published: March 2016

Understanding how motor skills are learned influences how one teaches effective motor skill attainment. Educators must ask, “Does repetitive practice of the same task make for better performance or does contextual variability (random practice) offer some benefit when learning motor skills?” Studies on the effects of Contextual Interference may provide some insight. Contextual interference (CI) studies typically use simple tasks involving movements already acquired by adults, which may account for random practice benefits. In contrast, children do not consistently demonstrate CI effects, as tasks usually require acquisition of a new movement pattern. In this experiment, adults and children ((8-10 yrs old) threw a Frisbee to targets for 54 trials under random or blocked conditions. Having had considerable throwing experience with other throwing objects, adults were expected to benefit from random practice. For children, a blocked practice advantage was predicted as it provides for devising and stabilizing a suitable movement pattern. Retention/retraining trials were administered 30 minutes after acquisition and seven days later. Two transfer tests were given after the delayed retention test: (a) same throwing object/different target distances (SODT), which required re-scaling the practiced movement, and (b) different throwing object (ropeball)/same target distances (DOST) which required a new movement pattern. Throwing accuracy was measured by absolute error from the target. Both age groups showed a blocked practice benefit on retention and SODT transfer tests. Findings from this experiment suggest that task variables and stage of learning are important determinants of CI effects and thus should influence how we teach motor skill attainment.
Teacher Development Program: A Vehicle For Assisting Pre-Service Teachers
Authors: Wood Frances B.
Published: March 2016

In 1990 the Teacher Development Program was created by the Office of Professional Field Experiences at Southeastern Louisiana University to better the quality and improve the success rate of teacher candidates and student teachers. The fundamental principle behind the program was to provide assistance for pre-service teachers who need immediate intervention to prevent poor performance or possible failure. This article describes the goals of the program and the services offered almost 20 years after its inception.
A Discussion And Experiment On Incorporating History Into The Mathematics Classroom
Authors: Bellomo Carryn , Wertheimer Cassidy
Published: March 2016

As a high school algebra teacher continuing as a student in a Master’s of Mathematics Program, the author decided with the help of an advisor to see what effect incorporating history had on an Algebra II Honors course.  The following paper includes a brief review of research, analysis of ways to incorporate history of mathematics into the classroom, examples of methods used in the classroom, and the effect this had on student and teacher learning and attitudes.
A Court Case Analysis Of Administrative Versus Faculty Grading Rights
Authors: Bates Homer L. , Waldrup Bobby E.
Published: March 2016

Since 1940, when the AAUP formally defined academic freedom (AAUP, 1984), most faculty members believe they have the final authority in assigning course grades to their students.  Faculty members may be surprised that several recent court decisions have concluded that college and university administrators have the right to change grades initially assigned by faculty.  This manuscript examines faculty members’ rights to assign student grades within the context of academic freedom.  Several important recent court decisions on student grading and grade changes are summarized and discussed.  Based on these decisions, recommendations are made for both faculty and college and university administrators regarding the assignment of student grades and the student grade appeals process.
The Effects Of Songs In The Foreign Language Classroom On Text Recall, Delayed Text Recall And Involuntary Mental Rehearsal
Authors: Salcedo Claudia S.
Published: March 2016

Music represents an integral part of the human culture, and particularly language and communication. Music can be a powerful tool in the learning experience. The purpose of the present study is to investigate whether English native-speaker students learning a foreign language can benefit from integrating music into the curriculum. Students’ text recall was measured after listening to songs and text passages. Delayed recall and involuntary mental rehearsal (din) were also measured. Results showed text recall was better in the song condition that text passage. Also, treatment condition did not affect delayed recall; however it impacted involuntary mental rehearsal. Implications and suggestions about future applications of music in the curriculum are also explored.
Service Learning Partnership Between University And School Students: Experiential Learning Inspired Through Community Research
Authors: Nandan Monica
Published: March 2016

This article describes a service learning project implemented jointly by undergraduate and high school students during summer.  The service learning project was designed through a Summer Research Institute hosted at a Midwestern University; the institute encouraged faculty to recruit undergraduate students who would partner with area high school students to conduct a community-based research project in their field of interest.  The article describes the partnership between students, as well as the experiential learning that occurred during: research topic identification, literature analysis, planning and implementing a mixed-methodology community-based research project, and during the qualitative and quantitative data analysis, by students.  Using a mosaic theory, the students inferred relationships between three apparently unrelated spheres of their research: challenges faced by youth in the community, financial health of social services for youth, and corporate philanthropy for youth services.  Recommendations for designing creative academic, experiential and service learning projects are offered for all educators.
Integrating Curriculum: Developing Student Autonomy In Learning In Higher Education
Authors: Yuksel Ulku
Published: March 2016

The need to combine social constructivist activities with cognitive constructivist ones has emerged which incorporates personalized learning approaches. Characteristics of education and educational institutions of the third millennium indicate that flexibility, inclusiveness, collaboration, authenticity, relevance and extended institutional boundaries are the leading features of superior education. While educational goals have changed and expanded to incorporate lifelong learning, global interaction, the attainment of meta-cognitive knowledge and abilities, so did the role of both students and teachers (Felix, 2005). This study is about various techniques used in curriculum development, teaching and assessment, one of which is the negotiated curricula. How to integrate this phenomenon of the learning and teaching literature into curriculum and its influence on students’ active learning is presented.
Causes Of The Decline Of Education In Pakistan And Its Remedies
Authors: Ghazi Safdar Rehman , Ali Riasat , Khan Muhammad Saeed , Hussain Shaukat , Fatima Zakia Tanzeela
Published: March 2016

Low literacy rate and poor quality of education are the major drawbacks of the educational system in Pakistan. Our education is influenced by a number of factors that cause this downfall. Some of them are more prominent, such as low enrollment and high dropout rate at the primary level, different standards of education, low budget allocation for education sector, political interference, low quality of curricula and textbooks, rapid growth in population, poverty and unemployment, poor quality of teachers and irrelevant induction of duties, and our substandard evaluation system. Although the government claims for some bold steps to overcome these problems, there is still room for improvement.
A Total Quality Management Approach To Assurance Of Learning In The Accounting Classroom: An Empirical Study
Authors: Harvey Mary Ellen , Eisner Susan
Published: March 2016

The research presented in this paper seeks to discern which combination of pedagogical tools most positively impact student learning of the introductory Accounting curriculum in the Principles of Accounting courses in a 4-year U.S. public college. This research topic is relevant because it helps address a quandary many instructors experience: how to teach quantifiable courses in a way that resonates with and reaches undergraduate business students.  The significance is underscored by concerns that U.S.-educated students lack quantitative ability needed in the 21st century workplace, and is heightened all the more by uncertainties in the current economic climate that would seem to make quantitative competencies all the more vital.  Toward that end, student perceptions of course delivery methods were analyzed at the conclusion of the first of a two-course sequenced introductory Accounting course.  The results were used to redesign the second half of the course, after which measured perceptions were compared with actual outcomes.  Results and proscriptions for advancing Principles of Accounting course pedagogy are presented.
Team-Based Learning: Perceptions Of Instructors And Students In Thai Universities
Authors: Sovajassatakul Thanongsak , Jitgarun Kalayanee , Shinatrakool Raveewan
Published: March 2016

The purpose of the study reported on in this paper was to identify and compare instructors and students perceptions of Team-Based Learning (TBL). Participants were 270 instructors and 288 fourth year students from the faculties of Industrial Education at six universities in Bangkok. The data were analyzed using factor analysis and structural equation modeling with LISRELTM. Results indicated that both instructors and students agreed on the importance of two factors in TBL: Active Learning and Authentic Assessment. Students were significantly more likely to favor The Value of Team. Instructors were significantly more likely to value the importance of Instructional Design for TBL.
A Peer-Based Financial Planning & Education Service Program: An Innovative Pedagogic Approach
Authors: Goetz Joseph W. , Durband Dorothy B. , Halley Ryan E. , Davis Kimberlee
Published: March 2016

This paper presents a peer-based financial planning and education program as a strategy to address the lack of financial literacy among college students and provide an experiential learning opportunity for students majoring in financial planning or other financial services-related disciplines. Benefits of such programs to campus communities are addressed by illustrating the current trends regarding student debt and financial literacy. The paper provides a specific description of a successful peer-to-peer financial planning and education program and encourages its replication at other colleges and universities. Through the review of this program, other schools may emulate effective strategies to assist in the implementation of this program as a pedagogical tool to improve students educational experience.
Peer Editing In The 21st Century College Classroom: Do Beginning Composition Students Truly Reap The Benefits?
Authors: Jesnek Lindsey M.
Published: March 2016

Since its emergence in the 1960s, critics and instructors alike have lauded the benefits of peer collaboration in the college composition classroom, and more specifically, the value of peer editing. However, the benefits of peer editing are not necessarily realized in traditional entry level writing classes. A consultation of both quantitative and qualitative research reveals that a reverberating dissonance exists between what students (and instructors) desire from peer editing and students actual abilities as both writers and editors. Since peer editing is inherently designed to directly benefit students and not, although perhaps it does indirectly, cater to the goals of colleagues, administrators, and universities, composition teachers must instead consult students about its effectivenessnot themselves. Teachers have long-speculated and theorized about the way collaborative learning should be, but it remains necessary to evaluate how peer editing actually functions in the everyday freshman and sophomore level writing course. In addition to conflicts in theoretical approach, the practice of peer editing is often inhibited by several other factors: time constraints, social graces, off-task talk, and the actual ability of writer and editor, not to mention the endlessly variable ways of creating (or not creating) peer editing rubrics. While group collaboration should undoubtedly remain a part of the college composition classroom, professors must begin to consider the possibility that peer editing may, in fact, be more detrimental than previously imagined. Furthermore, critics have traditionally focused on evaluating peer editing in the much larger theoretical context of collaborative learning, which oftentimes leaves professors with little or no direction for actually putting peer editing into practice. Since no discernable solution has immerged in over fifty years, it is time to finally dispel the illusion that peer editing guarantees better college writers.
The Learning Theory Jungle
Authors: Minter Robert L.
Published: March 2016

This paper explores the myriad of pedagogical and andragogical issues facing university educators in the student learning process, and focuses on how the proliferation of learning theories do not all apply to the adult learner.
Technology-Based Literacy Instruction For English Language Learners
Authors: White Erin L. , Gillard Sharlett
Published: March 2016

There is a growing need to implement an alternative and viable solution in U.S. K-12 schools that will address the ever-growing gap that the rapidly growing English language learner (ELL) population presents. This article examines various technology-based solutions, and their potential impact. The systematic implementation of these technology-based solutions could aid in alleviating an already taxed educational workforce, as well as significantly aid in promoting English language acquisition among the nations K-12 ELL population.
A Comparative Study Of Three Revision Methods In EFL Writing
Authors: Srichanyachon Napaporn
Published: March 2016

In an attempt to explore effective instruction in the English as a Foreign Language (EFL) setting, this study investigated language errors identified by students and teachers in three different revision stages: self-revision, peer revision, and teacher revision. It gave the focus to the effects of the three different methods on learners writing quality, revision behavior, and perception of revisions. The subjects were 10 students in Bangkok University who shared the similar English learning experiences. The data were collected from a writing task, a peer response sheet, and a semi-structured interview. Error numbers and error types identified in the revision stages were compared to show the differences among the three methods. This study was an attempt to analyze learners revision behavior, and the results showed that they focused more on surface errors instead of semantic or textual ones. The study also showed that teacher revision was indispensable in learners language output modification. It did a great help to the learners acquisition of linguistic forms which were hard-recognized errors by themselves. Also, teacher comments were perceived as significantly more effective than peer comments. However, the students showed that peer revision had roles to play that couldnt be filled by teacher revision. The post-task interview results revealed learners positive perceptions toward peer revision, indicating its usefulness in the EFL context.
Be The First To Arrive And The Last To Leave Your Class
Authors: Finck Joseph E.
Published: March 2016

The time before and after a large class can be very valuable in setting the atmosphere in the room, engaging students, holding impromptu office hours and organizing the material.
Virtual Teams In Higher Education: The Light And Dark Side
Authors: Grinnell Lynn , Sauers Amy , Appunn Frank , Mack Larry
Published: March 2016

Students and faculty are grappling with learning teams in the online environment - more than half of all higher education organizations offer online courses (Hoffman, 2006). As online course developers try to replicate the best practices of traditional classrooms, the asynchronous technology of the Internet has added great capability while also increasing the confusion that distance in space and time can add to the learning process. This study conducted a qualitative survey of online learning teams using content analysis by three researchers and grounded theory by the fourth researcher. Analysis of the rich text responses prompted the researchers to propose a model for online team development that reflected the functionality or dysfunctionality of teams. Key influences related to the internal or external locus of control of conscientious students. Key findings include strong connections between conscientiousness and attitude towards teamwork on the input side with satisfaction and trust for outcomes. Unlike other research, these online teams linked performance not to pedagogy, but conscientiousness, attitude towards teamwork, and trust. Technology did not hinder performance, suggesting that the new generation of learners is more comfortable with online interactions. The study detected a new factor, team leadership, as a core issue limiting learning and success within teams.
Students' use of social media during the travel process
Authors: Nemec Rudež Helena , Vodeb Ksenija
Published: March 2016

Purpose – The purpose of the study is to explore how students as an important travel segment are involved in social media during the travel process and explore the underlying dimensions of social media use by students during the travel process. Design/methodology/approach – The quantitative research focuses on the students’ use of social media in the three phrases of the travel process – before travel, during travel and after travel separately. Survey instrument was a structured questionnaire. Data were collected through online survey using Google Drive. Descriptive statistics and principal component analysis are performed in the study to comprehend the students’ use of social media during the travel process. Findings – The findings of the study give an insight into the use of social media among students. They use mostly Facebook during the travel process, but traditional sources of information remain still relevant. Study findings reveal that social media are mostly used before travel begins and less during and after travel. There are identified two dimensions – “search for opinions” and “information and comparison” – that drive students to use social media before travel and two dimensions – “sociability” and “information” – that drive students to use social media during travel. Just one dimension labelled “sociability” emerged in relation to the use of social media after travel. Originality of the paper – The paper enhances the slim body of research on the use of social media among students during the travel process and raises awareness on social media use during the three phases of the travel process.
Sustainability development and competitiveness of Rome as a tourist destination
Authors: Valeri Marco
Published: March 2016

Objectives – The aim of the paper is to study the sustainability level of the city of Rome (Italy) as a tourist destination. The paper’s basic assumption is based on the fact that, compared to other international tourist destinations, Rome is high on the list as far as the number of international visitors is concerned, yet it is not the city at the top of the list. Design/Methodology/Approach – The methodology used is that of case study research (Yin, 2003). The results will be evaluated by applying the Weaver model (2000, 2011). According to Weaver, the competitiveness of a tourist destination depends on the level of sustainability of tourism development. Originality/Value – Sustainability implies that tourist destinations are governed and managed in such a way as to satisfy the expectations of the visitor in accordance with the socio-economic and natural environment in which such destinations operate. Thus the management of the sustainability of the destination is an essential ingredient in the development of the entire surrounding area. As a tourist destination, the city has made great efforts to diversify its offer to visitors, including new infrastructural, cultural and sport facilities in order to enhance its attraction as a tourist site, and as a result, to encourage new businesses and provide employment. Practical Implications – The relationship between sustainability and competitiveness is based on the belief that businesses that pursue environmental and economic and social performance improvements may benefit from these activities.
Birds Diversity in Tayawi’s Watersheed Area Aketajawe-Lolobata National Park
Authors: Arini Diah Irawati Dwi , Kinho Julianus
Published: March 2016

Aketajawe-Lolobata National Park was selected as one of conservation areas in Indonesia due to its important roles to preserve wildlife natural resources and its unique ecosystem. Our research on fauna diversity was designed to identify bird species diversity that inhabited Tayawi’s watershed within the Aketajawe-Lolobata National Park in North Maluku. We explored the area by using transect method; species identification was carried out by visual and vocal encounter. Fifty five bird species were identified and they belong to 25 families. Among them, 17 species were identified as endemic to Maluku and Halmahera islands. Based on our analysis and field observation, these areas had low fauna diversity. We suspected that illegal logging and hunting might have caused a rapid decrease of the bird population in Tayawi’s watershed area. These can be a serious threat if it is not well-anticipated. Therefore, urgent need is required to discontinue the activities of illegal logging and hunting.
Forest and Land Rehabilitation Planning Based on Land Capacity of The Lake Tondano Catchment Area
Authors: Walangitan Hengki Djemie
Published: March 2016

This study aims to analyze and develop alternative forest and land rehabilitation based on land capability in catchment area Tondano lake. Inhibiting factors used in the analysis is the ability of land slope, drainage and infiltration rate. The results of the analysis obtained 42 units of land. Approximately 85 % belong to the class I - V and 15 % belong to the class VI-VIII. Furthermore, the proposed three models of forest and land rehabilitation as follows: (1) Sub East catchment area, proposed pattern-based agroforestry clove plants in cultivation area, (2) Sub South catchment area, proposed pattern of farm crops  is designed in agroforestry systems so that the health of soil, especially soil organic matter content can be maintained to support sustainable agriculture, (3) Sub West catchment area, proposed pattern integrated farming cattle crops (maize + grass strip + terrace ridges). While in the forest area developed multi purposes forest on all catchment areas.
Plant Growth Variation At Combined Progeny And Provenance Of 5-Year-Old Intsia Bijuga (Colebr. )O.Kuntze In Sobang, Banten
Authors: Adinugraha Hamdan Adma , Pudjiono Sugeng , Ismail Burhan , Mahfudz Mahfudz
Published: March 2016

This study was conducted to evaluate plant growth of Intsia bijuga at 5 years old in Sobang, Banten for supplying good genetic material in the future. Establishment of the trial was conducted in 2007 using Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) that consisted of 6 blocks, 100 families nested in 10 provenances, 4 treeplot for each family with a spacing of 4 x4 m. Measurements were taken periodically every year on the survival percentage, total height and stem diameter at the breast height or dbh. At the age of 5 years showed that the significant differences among provenance in survival percentage that ranged from 41.61 to 65.11 %,  average of plant height were 1.04 to 2.82 m and dbh 1.24 to 1.59 cm. The growth variation families also showed significant differences in height and diameter. The survival rate ranged from 12.5-91.67 %, average plant height were 0.52-2.55 m and dbh 0.90-2.44 cm. Individual tree heritability estimate for height was height (0.344) while that of diameter was moderate (0.259). Family heritabilities for height and diameter was considered moderate, namely 0.573 and 0.491 respectively. Genetic correlation between height and diameter growth was positive and high (0.834).
Ecotourism Development Strategy Of Wera Nature Recreation Park (NRP)
Authors: Oktadiyani Poppy , Helwinsyah Helwinsyah , Iwanuddin Iwanuddin
Published: March 2016

The Wera Nature Recreation Park (NRP) sustainable nature tourism development requires multi-stakeholder synergy and robust potential resources management, it is necessary to development strategy for an effective conservation area management. The purpose of this study: 1) Knowing the aspects tourism supply of Wera NRP, 2) Knowing the aspects tourism demand of Wera NRP, 3) Analyzing the nature tourism development strategy of NRP Wera, and 4) Knowing the types of nature tourism that can be developed in the NRP Wera. The data analysis method was involves tourism supply-demand analysis and development strategy. Development strategy was located on cell-1 (1,09; 1,33) in Grand Strategy Matrix, meaning that it supports aggressive strategy, i.e. intensive promotion on certain segments especially students and people of age 7 - 35. Based on those results, the development of tourisms are nature panorama, nature phenomenon, wildlife observation, hiking, education and conservation, outbond, religious, and rural tourisms.
Effectivity of Using Growth Retardants on Shorea assamica Dyer Seedling at Nursery
Authors: Irawan Arif , Iwanuddin Iwanuddin
Published: March 2016

The use of growth retardants widely used as a solution in the storage material for the propagation of plant species that have recalcitrant seed types. White meranti (S.assamica) is one kind of commercial timber from dipterocarp family found in Sulawesi. This species is one of the types of plants that have the type of recalcitrant seeds. This study aims to determine the effectiveness of using growth retardants in the nursery.The experimental design used in this research is completely randomized design. The results showed the use of growth retardants provide excellent effectiveness in inhibiting the growth of seedling of S.assamica. Paklobutrazol of 250 ppm is a the best treatment that can provide growth inhibition. Percentage of growth inhibition of seedling age of 6 months amounted to 75,14 % (height) and 33,33% (diameter).
Identification Causes Leaf Spot Disease in Cempaka (Magnolia elegans (Blume.) H.Keng) Seedling and Its Control Techniques
Authors: Irawan Arif , Anggraeni Ilaa , Christita Margaretta
Published: March 2016

This research purposes to identify the pathogen causing leaf spot in cempaka seedling and its control technique. Identify cause of disease is necessary to know precise technique control. Identification of disease was conducted in macroscopic appearances and microscopically to determine pathogens. Identification is done by using the determination key of fungi. The results showed that the early signs of leaf spot disease on cempaka seedlings in the nursery are streaks or spots on the leaf surface with distinct boundaries. Leaf spots are formed generally brown surrounded by darker boundaries. The result shows leaf spot disease on cempaka seedling was caused by fungal pathogen Colletotrichum sp. Techniques for controlling the disease can be done by isolating the infected seeds, reducing the intensity of canopy, and using the appropriate fungicides.
Growth of 5 Provenances at 6 Months Old Alstonia Scholaris in Sumber Klampok, Bali
Authors: Mashudi Mashudi
Published: March 2016

Alstonia scholaris (L.) R.Br. is one of native and fast growing species in Indonesia. This species is potential for forest plantation. Its wood can be used for boxes, matches, heelpiece, crafts (mask and puppet),  pencil slate, and pulp. This paper aims to study the growth of Alstonia scholaris at 6 month old in Sumber Klampok, Bali. This experiment was arranged in a randomized complete block design with provenances as treatment. The research used 5 provenances, i.e. Lombok (NTB), Jayapura (Papua), Solok (West Sumatera), Timor (NTT) and Bali. Material genetic from 46 parent trees were used and we observed 4 seedling of each patent trees with 6 replications. The result showed that provenances of Bali, Lombok dan NTT were the best provenances for survival rate, height, and stem diameter.