bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Foundations for Reinventing the Global Education System
Authors: Zhang Ling , Basham James D. , Lowrey K. Alisa
Published: September 2019

Most contemporary education systems around the world have been following the one-size-fits-all instructional model that is designed to meet the needs of the “average” learners. As many countries are striving to reform education, a new education system that emphasizes and encourages personalization in learning is needed. This chapter argues that a shift is needed from standardizing education to supporting learner variability in personalized learning (PL) environments designed according to Universal Design for Learning (UDL). To contextualize the perspective, the authors introduce the concepts of PL, UDL, and the global educational context in which they are taken from. Taking a pragmatist perspective, they highlight how these concepts can be investigated using design-based research to extend and promote radical growth in the educational system. This chapter concludes with implications for research, policy, and practices for supporting the design and implementation of PL based on UDL.
Application of Smart Tourism to Nature-Based Destinations
Authors: Silva Francisco António dos Santos da , Lopes Tiago Arruda Ferreira Marques
Published: September 2019

This chapter aims to address two main themes and their possible articulation. The first explores the management of products and destinations strictly associated with nature-based tourism. The second is associated with creative and smart tourism. The connection of these two themes represents an innovative approach considering that both smart and creative tourism are closely linked to smart cities concept and urban spaces, while there is still no widespread application to other territories. The application of creative and smart tourism principles to new realities as nature-based tourism is assumed as a new challenge that requires well supported evidence and the development of sustained approaches.
Safety and Security Perception as Strategic Issues for Hospitality Companies
Authors: Cró Susana , Calisto Maria de Lurdes , Martins António Miguel , Simões José Manuel
Published: September 2019

Safety, tranquility, and peace are a necessary condition for prosperous tourism, and security has been identified as one of the five global forces that will drive the tourism industry in the new millennium. Numerous studies have demonstrated that tourism destinations are heavily affected by security perceptions and safety and risk management. In this chapter, the reader may learn about the theoretical models and empirical evidence behind the assertion that security should be seen as a strategic issue not only by tourism destination managers but also by hospitality managers. By the end of the chapter, it will become evident that hospitality managers should take actions in terms of providing their guests higher levels of real and perceived security, as this will be not only ethically right as it will have a positive impact on the company's profitability.
Sustainability Reporting in Hospitality Sector
Authors: Carvalho Luisa Margarida Cagica , Paiva Inna Choban de Sousa
Published: September 2019

Students seldom contemplate the importance of sustainability in family businesses. Indeed, the economic dimension of sustainability using performance statements remains a neglected field of study. The case of a Spain family firm in the tourism sector, Meliá Hotels International, is used to introduce students to sustainability analyses through the study of the company's sustainability information. This provides instructors with an opportunity to discuss the actual financial state of the company and how to improve some indicators, as well as to present an overview of the long-term sustainability of a family business. A qualitative methodology is used based on the documental analysis of sustainability reporting and information collected from the company's website and the media. This chapter present a case that can be used in management and accounting classes at both the bachelor and master levels. It is an important topic for users of financial information, entrepreneurs and other stakeholders concerned with these issues.
The Learning Process of Entrepreneurship in Tourism Higher Education in Portugal
Authors: Abranja Nuno
Published: September 2019

The upsurge of entrepreneurs can occur through the higher education institutions, and their pedagogical dynamics determine the characteristics and skills developed by students and the profile achieved. The author's approach was an exploratory research to identify the presence of the entrepreneurship focus in tourism students. A pedagogical intervention based on enterprising education, which consisted of setting the action priorities of teachers and the necessary adjustments to the syllabuses of the tourism course, enabled us to develop an action research through reading, observation, and surveys. This study presents a short literature review of the main international authors who focus their studies on this subject, a detailed interpretation of primary data, and the conclusions drawn, articulating the initial question.
Soviet Culture in the Years of the Great Patriotic War and the Post-War Period
Authors: Asmarov Igor
Published: September 2019

Soviet culture during the Great Patriotic War and the postwar period is conventionally divided into two periods: Soviet culture during the war years 1941-1945; and Soviet culture in the postwar period 1946-1950s. Of course, these stages of the evolution of Soviet culture differ from each other in many respects, as well as in the most important, that is, in their substantive relation. What suffered during the war during the first stage was either restored or rebuilt after the end of the war. Soviet culture during the Great Patriotic War suffered greatly in material and organizational terms. However, at the same time, the culture of the USSR in the years of the war acquired a great deal spiritually and morally. Previously unprecedented patriotism raised the whole country, the entire multinational Soviet people, to fight against the common worst enemy of all progressive humanity - fascism. Soviet culture reflected this rise in patriotism in music, painting, theater and cinema, on stage, in sculpture and architecture, etc. This time was the heyday of the multinational character of the Soviet people, the time of the epochal upsurge of folk culture, folk art, and the consciousness of the masses of the Soviet people.
Fostering Participatory Literacies in English Language Arts Instruction Using Student-Authored Podcasts
Authors: Buckley-Marudas Molly , Ellenbogen Charles
Published: September 2019

English language arts teachers must tend to the proliferation of easily accessible technological tools and storytelling platforms for the teaching of stories. It is critical that educators teach with and about these spaces in order to develop young people's literacies. This chapter examines an English language arts unit that required students to create an audio podcast to support students in the process of making meaning, sharing ideas, and interpreting texts. The chapter offers insights into the podcasting process for students and teachers, including ideas about technical aspects of production, lessons learned, and recommendations for future practice. The chapter discusses how this project draws on adolescents' participatory literacies and how it developed practicing teachers' participatory literacies and pedagogical approaches.
“I Would Like Other People to See His Stories Because He Was Woke!”
Authors: Rust Julie , Ballard Sarah Alford
Published: September 2019

This chapter explores the varied participatory practices that were triggered during the Spring 2016 iteration of the Digital Dialogue Project (DDP), an initiative that connected different age groups in distinct subject-area classes within contrasting schools embedded inside divergent communities. During the project, youth (from 3rd grade to 12th grade) engaged in three phases: (1) producing multimodal products connected to curricular goals, (2) virtually sharing/viewing/commenting on the digital product with small groups of 3-5 youth from different schools, and (3) meeting face to face at a culminating field trip to engage in collaborative theater exercises to dramatically embody the groups' digital stories. Authors provide concrete examples of the kinds of participation that the DDP evoked as well as key pedagogical commitments to literacies that were central to designing and implementing the project. Throughout the chapter, real talk for practicing teachers is provided in order to offer guidance for those interested in imagining similar participatory projects for youth.
Rethinking Writing Pedagogy
Authors: Hundley Melanie , Jocius Robin , Pendergrass Emily
Published: September 2019

This chapter examines practices, strategies, and assessments used to support preservice and inservice teachers in becoming digital writers who can thoughtfully integrate digital and multimodal writing into their pedagogical practice. The chapter is organized into two sections: (1) a research-based discussion of goals and strategies for integrating digital and multimodal writing into preservice and inservice teacher education courses, and (2) concrete examples of activities and assessments for teacher education courses that can successfully scaffold teachers into becoming digital writers. Findings demonstrate that the thoughtful and purposeful integration of digital, multimodal writing into teacher education courses can shift understandings of writing as a participatory practice and support teachers in successful classroom integration.
Preservice Teachers Collaborating and Co-Constructing in a Digital Space
Authors: Mitchell Chrystine , Appleget Carin
Published: September 2019

Participatory literacy practices include the ways in which individuals interpret, make, and share as a way of connecting in our digitally mediated culture. This chapter is a culmination of an across-university partnership created between the two authors and the pre-service teachers that collaborated online about teaching and learning. Three threads of participatory literacy practices are shared within the chapter including 1) the use of blogging across university settings, 2) the implementation of digital professional learning communities (PLCs) to connect and collaborate with other pre-service teachers, and 3) the formation and participation in digital literature circles to co-construct meaning from children's literature. This chapter includes the authors' attempts at collaboration across university settings using different tools, platforms, and resources. This work is an example for other teachers and teacher educators to consider how we can help pre-service teachers be part of the participatory culture and provide an even wider community of learners.
#TextMeetsTech
Authors: Schrodt Katie , FitzPatrick Erin R. , Reddig Kim , Smith Emily Paine , Grow Jennifer
Published: September 2019

This chapter addresses the need to make time and space for transliteracy practices in the classroom. University pre-service teachers are used as the primary example as the chapter documents how these students made meaning across a range of platforms, while reading the acclaimed young adult novel The Hate U Give. The university course, titled Language and Literacy, focuses on methods of literacy instruction in the classroom. A lesson plan framework is included in the chapter that is especially user friendly for educator preparation classrooms as well as high school and middle school teachers. The chapter explores the experiences of the college students while reading The Hate U Give, while detailing how the students created meaning through a variety of traditional and modern teaching practices.
Sustainable Universities and Green Campuses
Authors: Momani Kamelia Moh'd Khier , Nour Abdul-Naser Ibrahim , Jamaludin Nurasyikin
Published: September 2019

In recent years, the importance of greening enterprises in all institutions has grown as a practical entry point for dealing with target markets and global markets. In this chapter, it will be referred to the theoretical framework of the concept of greening business as a new strategic philosophical approach that has become reliable in various organizations, and the reasons behind the adoption of these green initiatives in the course of companies work and the benefits achieved. Thus, universities in different countries of the world have adopted a strategic approach to the environment, sustainability, and green direction in their work. As a result, many measures exist to achieve green directives for universities, such as reducing environmental pollution, recycling, increasing green spaces in the universities, conserving water, etc.
Big Data and Sustainability of Higher Education
Authors: Younis Nagat Mohamed Marie
Published: September 2019

The aim of the research is to clarify the role and importance of Big data in achieving sustainability of higher education in the Arab world, and understand the challenges of higher education sustainability in universities. To achieve these objectives, reference was made to previous studies and relevant research to set a proposed framework for the development of higher education in universities in the Arab world and highlighting the role of big data in the sustainability of accounting education.
Effects of Quality Education on Sustainability in Developing Countries
Authors: Moussa Nabil
Published: September 2019

The effects of quality education on sustainability in developing countries is studied in this chapter. Different categories of developing countries include: high developed developing countries, low developed developing countries but have huge resources, and simply low developed developing countries. This chapter concentrates on low developed developing countries because their people badly need to develop. Essential issues in these countries are summarized and the main problems of achieving quality education are given. The negative effects of low-quality education on sustainability are introduced. Some solutions and recommendations are proposed and the positive effects of quality education on sustainability in low developed developing countries are illustrated.
Educating Architecture Students for Sustainable and Environmental Responsibilities
Authors: Farag Alshimaa A. , Doheim Rahma M.
Published: September 2019

Rapidly developing cities are significantly damages the environment and imposes a crucial need for sustainable development education. Higher education institutions must grasp their responsibility towards leading the community to respond to the challenges. Universities shape the minds of future leaders, therefore, students must be genuinely prepared with a deep understanding of environmental issues and sustainable development in both theory and practice. This chapter provides a guide for architecture educators to adopt learning approaches that can improve students' sense of sustainable responsibility. Potentially, this would qualify students to connect with communities and contribute to solving local social, cultural, and environmental problems.
Employers' Perceptions of Business Graduates
Authors: Alhashimi Mukhtar , Razzaque Anjum
Published: September 2019

Managers claim that fresh graduates are unequipped to meet market demands. This chapter investigates the perception of employers in retail Islamic banks of Bahrain on newly graduated business students. The Singaporean Model of Employability Skills was implemented to ascertain the mean ratings of employability skills in terms of their importance, and the competency of business graduates. This deductive research approach initiated with a literature review that identifies research gap and a model which was tested via a self-administration adopted survey by collected data from 220 senior employees at retail Islamic banks of Bahrain. The systematic of convenience sampling technique was used in selecting 161 samples and the researcher received only 85 completed questionnaire forms. Findings initiate that employers appreciated the importance of teamwork, risk management, and decision-making skills. Their main recommendation was that employers should establish a durable bond with universities to enhance employability skills.
Economic Intelligence, Entrepreneurial Orientation, and International Competitiveness
Authors: Sghaier Asma , Mighri Zouhayer Ali
Published: September 2019

The main goal of this chapter is to originally analyze one of the irreversible factors of the international competitiveness of the companies that are related to the entrepreneurial economic intelligence. The originality of this research lies on the assimilation of the actions related to the identification and exploitation of opportunities and thus, the entrepreneurial orientation, as an integral part of the entrepreneurial economic intelligence which is able to stimulate the international competitiveness of the companies in the specific case of Tunisia.
Migration Policy and Problems of Ensuring Economic Security of Countries
Authors: Podolskaya Tatiana , Medyakova Ekaterina , Kolesnikova Nina
Published: September 2019

In this chapter the authors consider the impact of migration processes on the state of their home country's security. The other actual direction of this research is to identify the dependence of the country's economic security on the intensity of migration regulation. The complexity of assessing global trends in migration policy leads to the need for a comparative analysis of the conditions for their implementation in the context of world labor migration centers. The chapter analyzes the main tools of migration policy, the study of which made it possible to summarize and identify measurable indicators of the impact of migration processes on the state of economic security. The complex of designated challenges and threats to the economic security of the state will allow to form an overall picture of the current state of the object and a qualitative medium-term forecast.
Strategies for Effective Adaptation
Authors: Pitukhina Maria
Published: September 2019

This chapter deals with the OECD migration policy and its strong points that were revealed in the last 20 years. The author also explains how the OECD migration policy responds to technological, economic, and social challenges. In effective adaptation of foreign migrants, the principal role is mainly assigned to monitoring of the OECD member states. The outstanding practices of the latter turned out to be highly important for shaping the migration policies of other countries' migration. This chapter also shows the examples of the labor migrants' adaptation in the OECD labor market, particularly, a bottleneck vacancies analysis of the Nordic countries, Baltic States, and Central Eastern Europe. Institutions, traditions and employability are extremely important parameters for migrants' adaptation for labor markets.
Functional Effectiveness and Modern Mechanisms for National Urban Systems Globalization
Authors: Ushakov Denis , Arkhipov Alexey
Published: September 2019

Cities' transformation into active actors of international economic relations, and their participation in international competition forms a complex of problems with efficiency of the relationships between business and government, global competitive advantages of urban economies, quality of municipal governance, development and international integration of the urban system of the modern countries (including Russia). This chapter examines a development of the modern features of the urban system in Russia, analyzes its macroeconomic indicators, actual problems, and evaluates various scenarios for the development of both individual urban economies and the entire urban system of Russia.
Rural Migration and Shrinkage Transformation Processes in Mexican Countryside
Authors: Vargas-Hernández José G.
Published: September 2019

The purpose of this chapter is to analyze the empirical-theoretical approaches to shrinking cities in Mexico. The analysis intents to answer the challenges posed by economic and demographic tendencies according to economic changes, using the theories and models and no to fall down victim of simplistic projections and conjectures and theories based more in speculations rather than on facts. The method used here is critical analysis of economic, social, and political tendencies in relation to the situation of shrinking cities in México. The results of this analysis lead to the finding that the shrinkage process in México, as a developing economy does not follow the same patterns of well developed countries, where increase in shrinking cities occurs since the middle of the 1950s and the use of incentives in some localities to attract economic growth have had modest success in terms of turning around the shrinking process.
Building Capacity to Implement Community Schools
Authors: Quinn Jane
Published: September 2019

This chapter outlines the importance of capacity-building assistance in implementing the community school strategy with quality; describes and assesses the work of the nation's oldest and largest community school capacity-building organization—the Children's Aid National Center for Community Schools; and positions that work in the context of community school reform efforts nationally and internationally. The chapter provides case studies of capacity-building efforts with three community school initiatives, two in the United States and one in Europe, and also offers a listing and brief description of other engagements from 2012 to 2018.
Building the Neighborly Community in the Age of Trump
Authors: Luter Gavin , Taylor Henry L.
Published: September 2019

With no moral compass, the current higher education civic engagement movement has wreaked havoc on inner city communities, especially for low-income people and people of color. This chapter explains why this happened, who it benefits, and why it largely continues unquestioned. A bold new vision is charted for higher education's civic engagement movement that is built upon principles of systems change and a fundamentally reimagined version of cities founded on social justice. Theoretical and practical solutions are also discussed.
The Disciplining and Professionalization of Community Engagement
Authors: Falk Audrey Faye , Willer Jamie
Published: September 2019

Efforts are underway to professionalize the field of community engagement and to build the discipline of community engagement. This work requires the articulation of the knowledge, skills, values, and ethical standards that distinguish community engagement from related fields. It also requires cross-sector collaboration and communication as well as valuing community engagement in different contexts. This chapter provides an overview of the Master's Program in Community Engagement at Merrimack College and has been written collaboratively by the director of the program and a student in the program. The authors contend that the disciplining and professionalization of community engagement requires the establishment of academic programs and departments which develop and disseminate knowledge. With the disciplining and professionalization of community engagement, the field will be better positioned to prepare community engagement practitioners equipped with the skills and expertise necessary to engage in communities in collaborative, respectful, and responsible ways.
A New Approach for Assessing Learners in an Online Problem Based Learning Environment
Authors: Tadjer Houda , Lafifi Yacine , Seridi-Bouchelaghem Hassina
Published: September 2019

Problem-based learning (PBL) is an approach that improves students' skills in problem solving. The application of PBL as an approach of teaching in a class requires students' presence; such constraint cannot be fulfilled by all students. Therefore, it is important to avoid this problem by implementing an online PBL environment where students are grouped remotely and work together to solve a problem proposed by the teacher. This will guide the learning process of the learners and can evaluate their solution. In reality, we can find members who do not really contribute to solve a problem. From this point of view, the teacher's evaluation will not be adequate to estimate the contribution of the learner in the solution of a given problem. Therefore, it is important to think of another way for assessing learners' solution. So, the challenge is to implement an online PBL environment and to propose a new method for assessing students. In this paper, the authors present their system called Problearn. The developed system allows students to solve problems remotely in small groups. Furthermore, the system evaluates each student based on his behavioral profiles during the problem-solving process. To do so, the system must keep track of different actions carried out by the students. This system has been tested by students of a computer science department where they achieved very good results.
Formative Assessment and Preservice Elementary Teachers' Mathematical Justification
Authors: Edson Alden J. , Rogers Diane R. , Browning Christine A.
Published: September 2019

The focus of this chapter is on elementary preservice teachers' (PSTs') use of justification in problem-solving contexts based on a semester algebra course designed for elementary education mathematics minors. Formative assessment and digital tools facilitated the development of PSTs' understanding and use of justification in algebraic topics. The instructional model used includes the following components: negotiating a “taken-as-shared” justification rubric criteria; engaging in problem solving; preparing, digitally recording, and posting justification videos to the Cloud; and finally, listening and sharing descriptive feedback on the posted videos. VoiceThread was the digital venue for the preservice teachers to listen to their peers' justifications and post descriptive feedback. Findings from an analysis of a group focus on the PSTs' peer- and self-feedback as it developed through a semester and the PSTs' ability to provide a range of descriptive feedback with the potential to promote growth in the understanding and use of mathematical justification.
Designing a Cloud-Based Assessment Model
Authors: Rickards Tony , Steele Aaron
Published: September 2019

A cloud based assessment learning environment exists when the collaborative sharing features of cloud computing tools (e.g. Google Docs) are utilised for a continuous assessment of student learning activity over an extended period of time. This chapter describes a New Zealand Polytechnic based success story which utilised a multi-method approach to investigate student perceptions of a cloud assessment learning environment. The learning environment factors that are examined in this chapter include progress monitoring, cloud tools (i.e. Google Docs), feedback, cloud storage, technology preference, student achievement, and student engagement. This chapter not only describes this unique learning environment, it also provides a clear insight into student perceptions of the cloud assessment learning environment. In concluding, the chapter provides some outcomes that may be utilised to improve pedagogy and student outcomes in a STEM based multimedia learning environment.
The Impact of the E-Collaborative and Traditional Learning Styles on Learning Outcomes and Anxiety
Authors: Zhonggen Yu
Published: September 2019

Nowadays, information technologies are catching growing attention and their application to English language learning is also prospering. Using a Foreign Language Classroom Anxiety Scale and College English Test Band 4, this study explored the different impacts of the e-collaborative learning via QQ group and the traditional multi-media learning on learning outcomes and anxiety among tertiary students. Around 70 participants were involved in different styles of learning and instruction and received both surveys and tests. The results showed that the QQ group-based e-collaborative learning could significantly decrease anxiety but no significant gain was found in learning outcomes compared with the traditional multi-media learning. Correlation between learning outcomes and variables of anxiety was also studied, which resulted in no significant findings. Both disadvantages and advantages of this study were discussed and future research and advice to practitioners were recommended as well.
A Peer-Assessment Mobile Kung Fu Education Approach to Improving Students' Affective Performances
Authors: Kuo Fon-Chu , Chen Jun-Ming , Chu Hui-Chun , Yang Kai-Hsiang , Chen Yi-Hsuan
Published: September 2019

Peer-assessment and video comment-sharing are effective learning strategies for students to receive feedback on their learning. Researchers have emphasized the need for well-designed peer involvement in order to improve students' abilities in the cognitive and affective domains. Although student perceptions of peer-assessment have been studied extensively in higher education, few studies have focused on the effects of the peer-assessment strategy on students' performance from the affective perspective, especially in Physical Education courses. Therefore, in this study, a peer-assessment mobile physical education approach is proposed for developing a mobile learning system for a Kung Fu Tai-Chi physical education course. To evaluate the effectiveness of the proposed approach, an experiment was conducted by assigning 42 college students to participate in this learning activity. The experimental results show that the proposed approach not only promoted the students' learning interest and motivation, but also improved their learning self-efficacy and socialization.
M-Readiness Assessment Model Development and Validation
Authors: Bakhsh Muhammad , Mahmood Amjad , Sangi Nazir Ahmed
Published: September 2019

It is important for distance learning institutions to be well prepared before designing and implementing any new technology based learning system to justify the investment and minimize failure risk. It can be achieved by systematically assessing the readiness of all stakeholders. This paper first proposes an m-readiness assessment process and subsequently describes different activities required to develop a m-readiness assessment model. The model was validated and applied to measure m-readiness index of Allama Iqbal Open University (AIOU), Pakistan. Primary data (N=612) were collected. Factor analysis was applied. Extracted factors were confirmed with confirmatory factor analysis. Based on the extracted factors, m-readiness index was calculated. Furthermore, m-readiness index association with age, gender, program of study, income, locality and province were also analyzed by applying one way ANOVA and Kruskal Wallis. The results reveal that there is a significant difference in m-readiness with respect to income, locality, age, gender, program of study and province.
Peer Assessment in an Online Context
Authors: Pereira Alda , Tinoca Luis , Oliveira Isolina
Published: September 2019

In this work, making use of Tinoca, Oliveira and Pereira (2013) framework for assessment quality in digital contexts, we discuss the students' perspective about self and peer assessment practices in online environments. This research is based in the analysis of the students' perceptions in a fully online master's course being offered in a distance education university since 2007. We discuss the students' representations since that date until the present, reflecting on their roles as assessors, the challenges they faced, and the strategies they developed to overcome them. The results illustrate the participants' perceptions of self and peer assessment as innovative practices. There is a strong tendency throughout this period towards greater confidence with these practices, and increased trust in their peers' feedback and competence to share the assessment responsibility. Moreover, the transparency promoted by the sharing during the process and of the final products is recognized as crucial to support the participants' reflection process and competence development.
Associations of Subjective Immersion, Immersion Subfactors, and Learning Outcomes in the Revised Game Engagement Model
Authors: Barclay Paul A , Bowers Clint
Published: September 2019

Serious Educational Video Games (SEGs) play a large role in education for both children and adults. However, the budget for SEGs is typically lower than traditional entertainment video games, bringing with it the need to optimize the learning experience. This article looks at the role game immersion plays in improving learning outcomes, using the Revised Game Engagement Model (R-GEM) to determine whether learning outcomes were associated specifically with Immersion itself, or with the various prerequisites to achieving immersion. A sample of 125 undergraduate university students which played an educational video game and were assessed on Immersion, subjective System Usability, Creative Imagination, and learning performance. Immersion and System Usability were shown to be associated with higher learning outcomes, but, after controlling for other factors, it seems that System Usability is only helpful inasmuch as it promotes Immersion. This article concludes that further study is needed to determine whether the same association can be found with different populations and with different types of learning.
Authentic Assessment
Authors: Iftimescu Simona , Iucu Romiță , Marin Elena , Stîngu Mihaela Monica
Published: September 2019

The purpose of this chapter is to analyze and discuss the concept of authentic assessment at Master's degree level. Firstly, this chapter attempts to provide a better understanding of the Master's program within the context of the Bologna system by providing a short historical perspective on the evolution of the Bologna process, as well as trying to identify the true beneficiaries. The chapter also addresses some of the challenges of the assessment process with two main themes: types and aim of the assessment process. Furthermore, the authors focus on the role of the authentic assessment, at a Master's degree level – as reflected by students' perception and correlated with its intended purpose. Drawing on the findings, the authors attempt to shape a description of what authentic assessment is and what it should be at Master's degree level.
Assessment in the Modern Age
Authors: Emira Mahmoud , Craven Patrick , Frazer Sharon , Rahman Zeeshan
Published: September 2019

This chapter aims to address assessment in the modern age in terms of its importance, challenges and solutions by examining the views of 1,423 users at UK test centres following their recent experience of using two systems which employ computer-based assessment (CBA) and computer-assisted assessment (CAA). Generally speaking, based on the research, which informs the findings presented in this chapter, both systems face similar challenges but there are challenges which are specific to the CAA system. Similarly, both systems may require common solutions to improve user's future experience, but there are solutions which are more relevant to the CAA system. The chapter concludes with a discussion around the UK apprenticeship and a case study of a pilot apprenticeship programme in which CBA and CAA are also integrated.
Pedagogical Mini-Games Integrated into Hybrid Course to Improve Understanding of Computer Programming
Authors: Nuninger Walter , Châtelet Jean-Marie
Published: September 2019

To improve learning efficiency in Computer Programming courses, a voluntary decision was to fully integrate different learner-centered pedagogical devices. The result is the development of a set of pedagogical serious mini-Games (mGs) in synchronous time in the classroom for a decided scenario of the hybrid course. Supported by a Learning Management System, the innovation results in a common flexible and modular framework for mGs, taking into account a really short duration and higher constraints of the training. The expected outcome is to make future end users (who will not be IT developers) aware of the potential of the underlying transversal skills developed while building up universal algorithms, stressing functional analysis regardless of specific expertise required for a given coding. The challenge is to make their knowledge ownership easier, to prevent rejection, to incent involvement and collective intelligence and further Agile method adoption with a concern for quality.
The Impact of Performance-Based Funding on Historically Black Colleges and Universities
Authors: Boland William Casey
Published: September 2019

More than half of the states in the U.S. fund public colleges and universities, based in part on those institutions meeting performance metrics. Given increasing political and public interest in accountability for public resources, it is likely more states will adopt incentive-based finance policies for postsecondary education. This chapter explores how performance-based funding has affected HBCUs in six states. It situates this analysis in the political context that foments and sustains interest in this finance mechanism. Through descriptive statistical analysis of HBCU achievement on key performance funding measures and interview responses with HBCU and higher education representatives, this chapter offers a more nuanced and comprehensive analysis of the outcomes of performance funding as it is applied to HBCUs.
Teachers' Experiences Implementing the Continuous Assessment Component of the Secondary Entrance Assessment at a Primary School Facing Challenging Circumstances
Authors: Laptiste-Francis Nadia , Carrington-Blaides Elna
Published: September 2019

There is a lack of research within the Trinidad and Tobago context about teaching practices within schools facing challenging circumstances. Furthermore, proponents of the current assessment reform have not considered whether the CAC initiative may compound the challenges teachers in these contexts experience. This study utilized a qualitative case study design that aimed at exploring teachers' experiences implementing the CAC under the difficult conditions they confront at their school. The findings revealed seven major themes: slow teacher buy-in; inadequate front end training: dysfunctional support systems; parental apathy; contextual barriers and ad hoc implementation. These findings suggest that teachers did not buy into the CAC because of deficiencies in training, parental support, and external support systems.
Understanding Your Learner
Authors: Souders Tina M.
Published: September 2019

Now more than ever before, health care educators are being challenged to meet the complex and dynamic needs of an expanding health care workforce. Continuing education requirements as well as graduate and undergraduate programs are striving to keep pace with the demands for more highly skilled health care professionals. Likewise, technology and related instructional media have been evolving at an exponential pace. The confluence of these variables requires health care educators to be knowledgeable about the options and tools available to design and deliver instruction using a variety of platforms in more diverse settings. In order to ensure that instruction achieves its intended goals, it is imperative to fully assess the learner characteristics of the target audience. The purpose of this chapter is to discuss the rationale for conducting a learner analysis and utilizing learner characteristics in designing effective instruction.
Examining the Psychometric Properties of the Standards Assessment Inventory
Authors: Merchant William , Ciampa Kaita , Wolfe Zora M.
Published: September 2019

The purpose of this article is to assess the psychometric properties of the Standards Assessment Inventory (SAI) in order to confirm its construct validity using modern statistical procedures. The SAI is a 50-item assessment designed to measure the degree to which professional development programs align with seven factors related to “high quality” teacher learning (Learning Forward, 2011). These seven factors are Learning Communities, Leadership, Resources, Data, Learning Design, Implementation, and Outcomes. In their original evaluation of the factor structure of the SAI, Learning Forward (2011) tested one model containing all 50 items loading onto a single factor, and seven individual factor models, each containing one of the seven standards of professional development. To date there has been no published report related to the psychometric properties of a seven-factor model, which allows each of the seven standards to covary. The initial test of this model produced a poor fit, after which a series of modifications were attempted to improve the functioning of the SAI. After all meaningful modifications were added, the overall fit of the SAI was still outside of a range that would suggest a statistically valid measurement model. Suggestions for SAI modification and use are made as they relate to these findings.
Assessment and Management of Communication Skills in Individuals with Intellectual Disability
Authors: M. Krupa , Boominathan Prakash
Published: September 2019

The relationship between communication and cognition which has been explored since mid-1900s is a highly contentious topic. Hypotheses from various researchers have experienced a gradual shift from cognitive/innate bases to social perspective of acquisition and development of speech and language skills in individuals with intellectual disability. This acquisition tends to be delayed or deviant (qualitative and /or quantitative). In the recent years, research in this area is experiencing a paradigm shift evolving from ‘incapacity' to ‘functioning' which is obvious in the clinical practice of assessment and intervention of speech and language skills in these individuals. Further, the rehabilitation process is experiencing a transition from clinician directed to child-oriented or hybrid approaches of intervention. This chapter will be a comprehensive document of recent trends in research and practice related to acquisition of language, assessment and intervention of communication difficulties for professionals working with intellectual disability.
Quality Management and Higher Education Scenario in Namibia
Authors: Iipinge Selma Mupeniwo , Shimpanda Anna M. , Kadhila Ngepathimo
Published: September 2019

The new wave in the higher education space, which includes mass access to higher education, changes in the diverse needs of the student body, economic challenges faced by many countries, societal and general stakeholder expectations, relationships with external stakeholders, and new funding mechanisms has necessitated new forms of accountability in the sector. These factors have a profound influence on the handling of quality assurance arrangements at both national and institutional levels. This chapter seeks to critically analyze the current state of quality management practices in higher education in Namibia at both national and institutional levels. The chapter identifies achievements that have been recorded so far, as well as challenges and areas for further development.
Quality Assurance for Teacher Education in Democratic Globalized World
Authors: Pereira Liphie Precious
Published: September 2019

In this chapter it is argued that when determining quality assurance in teacher education there is need to take into account not only what teachers are taught but also how they are taught. New perspectives on learning and teaching at school level and the changed nature of the role of the teacher form the basis for suggesting a focus on the “how” of teacher education in addition to or more than the “what.” It draws on research underpinned by a critical realist philosophy to demonstrate the changed nature of the school system and the need to adopt a sociocultural approach to learning and teaching in teacher education.
Professional Integrity for Educational Quality in Management Sciences
Authors: Vargas-Hernández José G.
Published: September 2019

The objective of this chapter is to analyze the importance of professional integrity as the improvement concept and ethics in the development of professionals in administration and management sciences. The research method employed is the ethnographic, documental, and life histories, complemented with field work supported by in-depth interviews and analyzed using a comparative method. The outcomes of the research on the application in management education demonstrate that the drama of economic efficiency is centered on dysfunctional professional integrity. This chapter provides a sound professional philosophy that empowers professionals to act with integrity, increases the probability for long-term success and professional fulfillment. The results provide also the basis to develop a code of conduct and regulation policies to sustain management education for professional integrity that can positively impact on business culture through influencing the behavior of key actors.
Building Text Summary Generation System Using Universal Networking Language, Rhetorical Structure Theory, Sangatis and Sutra
Authors: Subalalitha C. N.
Published: September 2019

This chapter discusses how text summaries could be generated by using a high-level semantic representation. The semantic representation is built using the discourse structure which is comprised of three text representation techniques, namely, universal networking language (UNL), rhetorical structure theory (RST), and Saṅgatis. Sangati is an ancient concept that is used in Sanskrit language literature to capture coherence. This discourse structure is indexed using a concept called sūtra which has been used in both Tamil language and Sanskrit literatures. The chapter mainly focusses on how summary could be generated by using this unique discourse structure and the indexing technique concept, sūtra. Forum for information retreival (FIRE) corpus has been used to test the system and a performance comparison has been done with the one of the state-of-art summary generation systems that is built on discourse structure.
“Thy Kingdom Come, Thy Will Be Done”
Authors: Sarkar Abhigyan , Sarkar Juhi Gahlot
Published: September 2019

Prior consumer research shows that an individual can emotionally love a brand. The structure of this brand love is similar to interpersonal love. In this context, interpersonal love implies love between two people or a dyadic interpersonal love. People normally urge to maintain interpersonal relationships with several other people in the society by going beyond a dyadic relationship. This chapter investigates how a brand can be the focal point of such community formation where a group of people become closely connected around a focal brand. Such a brand can create brand fandom. The research described in this chapter identifies various factors that contribute to this brand fandom. Brand fandom results in consumers experiencing flow and transcendence, where they experience a temporary sense of separation from the mundane and reach a higher-level experience.
Just a Group of Oil Ladies
Authors: De la Pena Alicia S.
Published: September 2019

Based on a qualitative study, this chapter explores the characteristics, rituals and behaviors of the devotees of Young Living, a well-known brand of essential oils (EO). The analysis reveals five different segments: novices (first time users of EO), alchemists (innovators who discover and share new uses for the EO), alphas (passionate leaders), purists (extreme users of EO, interested in using only natural products), and evangelists (fervent devotees and promoters of the EO brand). According to alphas and evangelists, EO possess some mysticism and power; therefore, there is the need to guide and educate novices while they learn and adopt new practices, religious-like rituals and norms. At the same time this guiding and education becomes a powerful viral marketing tool that enhances the value of the EO brand. Finally, the analysis shows how social media enables EO fans to connect with each other to exchange their knowledge, passion and devotion for the brand.