ethanporcaro/eric-fulltext-meta huggingface dataset:
Research of Executives' Perceptions in Companies and Organizations on the Importance of Mentoring in the Frame of In-House Education and Training
Author: Fragoulis, Iosif
Date: 2011-08-00
Type: Journal Articles
Subjects: Administrator Attitudes,Mentors,Corporate Education,Foreign Countries,Questionnaires,Statistical Analysis

The purpose of the present paper is to present the outcomes of a research on the executives' perceptions in companies and organizations on the importance of mentoring in the frame of in-house education and training. The paper researches the perceptions of people who work for companies and organizations as far as their participation in mentoring processes is concerned. It also researches mentors' perceptions and the corporate benefits of the use of a mentoring process. It resulted that the benefits arising from the use of mentoring processes are important for the people working for the companies, for the mentors, as well as for companies and organizations. The value of the research focuses on the possibilities of the use of mentoring processes in the frame of in-house education and training.
Resource Availability and Distribution in Public and Private Special Education Schools in Cross River State, Nigeria
Author: Ntukidem, Peter James
Date: 2011-08-00
Type: Journal Articles
Subjects: Foreign Countries,Public Schools,Private Schools,Special Education,Educational Resources,Resource Allocation,Principals,Teachers,Statistical Analysis,Questionnaires

This study investigated the availability and distribution of staff and facilities/equipment in private and public special needs schools in Cross River State. Sixty-nine (69) teachers and three (3) principals of these schools constituted the sample size of the study. One hypothesis and one research question were postulated to guide the study. The instrument used for data collection was Document Survey for Special Needs Persons Questionnaire (DSSNPQ). The data was analyzed using frequency counts and chi square statistical analysis. The findings revealed that there was no significant difference between the distribution of teaching staff in public and private schools, more facilities/equipment were available in private schools than in public schools. It is therefore recommended that the private sectors, non-governmental organizations and industrial organizations be involved in providing for the needs of exceptional individuals both in public and private schools.
Globalization and Paradigm Changes in Teacher Education: Revolutionizing Teaching Learning Process at School Level in Pakistan
Author: Iqbal, Muhammad
Date: 2011-11-00
Type: Journal Articles
Subjects: Foreign Countries,Global Approach,Educational Change,Models,Teacher Education Programs,Universities,Statistical Analysis,Qualitative Research,Surveys,Program Length,Academic Standards,Teacher Education Curriculum,Theory Practice Relationship,Student Centered Curriculum,Quality Assurance,Student Evaluation,Questionnaires,Interviews

The world has become a global village. No county can live in isolation without seeking impact of global trends and a change in all field of life education is the most important tool in national development. So this age of knowledge has great impact on education. Teacher education is the brain of all educational disciplines as it delivers education to train the prospective teachers. It is also the mother of all professions. Like all other professions, globalization is also affecting teacher education. Therefore there is a global paradigm shift in teacher education. The main purpose of this study was to explore the paradigm shift in teacher education which has revolutionized teaching learning process at school level. The teacher education programs of five public universities of Pakistan where focused to fulfill the objectives of the study. The study was quantitative as well as qualitative in nature. Information regarding shift paradigm in teacher education were gathered by conducting self administered surveys, document analysis and interviews. Sample of the study comprised of prospective teachers, working teachers and executives (directors and heads) total 100 prospective teachers, 50 working teachers and 20 executives were selected by using random sampling techniques, collected data was analyzed by implementing simple descriptive statistical techniques such as percentages. The main paradigm changes in teacher education in perception of the selected respondents were: increase in duration of teacher education programmes, standard based curriculum, balance in theory and practice, shift from teacher to student centered delivery system, quality assurance and shift in assessment procedures.
The Relationship between State and Trait Anxiety with Career Indecision of Undergraduate Students
Author: Mojgan, Fadaei Nasab
Date: 2011-08-00
Type: Journal Articles
Subjects: Undergraduate Students,Anxiety,Career Choice,Foreign Countries,Multiple Regression Analysis

The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between state and trait anxiety with career indecision of Iranian undergraduate students. According to the literature anxiety has a strong impact on career indecision among students. However, there is controversy in research findings regarding the contribution of state and trait anxiety to career indecision. Despite many studies on the relationship between state and trait anxiety with career indecision, very limited research has been conducted in this area among Iranian students. For this purpose, 150 undergraduate undecided students from 3 universities in Khozestan Iran, completed the career decision scale (CDS), and the State Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI). Results of regression analysis showed that trait anxiety had a stronger impact on career indecision than did state anxiety. In addition, the relationship between anxiety components and career indecision was reported as positive. Implications for further research are discussed in the paper.
E-Learning Practices in North Cyprus Universities: Benefits, Drawbacks and Recommendations for Effective Implementation
Author: Hismanoglu, Murat
Date: 2011-11-00
Type: Journal Articles
Subjects: Foreign Countries,Electronic Learning,Universities,Higher Education,Educational Benefits,Barriers,Program Implementation,Distance Education,Educational Practices,Definitions

The nature of higher education is changing in the world today. Rising tuition fees, reduced budgets, and an increasing need for distance education (New Media Consortium, 2007) are pushing educational institutions to reinvestigate how education is delivered. In line with this shifting context, e-learning is being practiced more and more frequently in higher education, providing modern and stimulating occasions for not only educational institutions but also students (Wagner, Hassanein and Head, 2008). Despite the relative benefits of e-learning in higher education, there are some challenges for disorganized, technology concentrated institutions, when attemping to put distance learning courses into practice. This article, therefore, aims at defining the concept of e-learning, providing an overview of e-learning in relation to higher education, expounding types of e-learning, listing benefits and drawbacks of e-learning, summarizing e-learning practices in North Cyprus universities and making recommendations for successful implementation of e-learning in North Cyprus higher education context.
Experiences of Online Learning: An Evaluation of First-Year Sport Sciences University Students' Attitudes towards the Use of U-Link
Author: Testa, Alberto
Date: 2011-11-00
Type: Journal Articles
Subjects: Foreign Countries,Electronic Learning,Student Attitudes,Blended Learning,Virtual Classrooms,Computer Assisted Instruction,Case Studies,Athletics,Student Surveys,Likert Scales,Feedback (Response),Teacher Student Relationship,Peer Relationship,Interaction,Undergraduate Students,Active Learning,Questionnaires

The UK Government's recent funding cuts in higher education, coupled with the importance of maintaining competitiveness at a global and national level--a competitiveness that has worsened lately due to a gloomy recession--have placed even more pressure on UK academic institutions to adopt innovative curricula and, most importantly, to increasingly use technology in their courses. Blended Learning--defined as &quot;the thoughtful fusion of face-to-face oral communication and online learning experiences&quot; (Garrison &amp; Vaughan, 2008, p. 5), is replacing traditional teaching formats. Virtual Learning Systems (VLS) such as Web-CT and U-Link are part of the Blended Learning strategies, and represent a significant way to assess teaching quality at an academic institution, particularly at the departmental level. Hence, VLS should be constantly promoted, developed and, most importantly, evaluated. This case study aims to evaluate students' attitudes towards the Virtual Learning System U-Link. Data were gathered using a survey administered to 116 first-year Sport Sciences students at Brunel University, a large UK academic institution. The students' attitudes were assessed using a Likert Scale and open-ended questions. Overall, the respondents were satisfied with their U-Link experience and considered U-Link to be a key tool in their learning. In line with Bennett's (2002) work, students judged their experiences with academic modules adopting U-Link more favorably than they did with modules that did not have online web-based support. Students' comments, however, were not all positive; negative feedback pointed to an absence of interaction (lack of communication and feedback) between instructors and students, and a lack of interaction among students.
Globalization and the Changing Face of Educational Leadership: Current Trends and Emerging Dilemmas
Author: Litz, David
Date: 2011-08-00
Type: Journal Articles
Subjects: Global Approach,Instructional Leadership,Educational Benefits,Barriers,Transformational Leadership,Politics of Education,Educational Trends,Power Structure,Participative Decision Making,Developing Nations,Leadership Styles

This paper has used a deconstructivist conceptual framework in order to explore and analyze the multifaceted and complex impacts of globalization on educational leadership in the early 21st century. It will be argued that globalization has had far-reaching positive and negative effects on all of the various nation-states, cultures, economies, and peoples of the world and that these have also resulted in the emergence and evolution of a variety of interesting and practical educational leadership paradigms and managerial practices. In addition, this paper will conclude with several recommendations that can be used to guide additional research on the varied aspects and trends of educational leadership in a globalized context, and the development of international or cross-cultural international leadership development initiatives.
Knowledge Building: Reinventing Education for the Knowledge Age
Author: Philip, Donald N.
Date: 2011-11-00
Type: Journal Articles
Subjects: Foreign Countries,Educational Change,Knowledge Economy,Educational Innovation,Electronic Learning,Computer Assisted Testing,Computer Assisted Instruction,Educational Technology,Communities of Practice,Social Networks,Evaluation Methods,Blended Learning,Undergraduate Students,Learning Processes

This paper examines the Knowledge Age and how economic factors are causing educators to rethink and reinvent education. Two key factors in education in the Knowledge Age will be education for an economy of innovation, and the increasing virtualization of education. We present knowledge building pedagogy as a model for education in the Knowledge Age and discuss Knowledge Forum, online knowledge building environment designed to facilitate and support the knowledge building process. Built into Knowledge Forum is a suit of online tools that track the interactions that students have with Knowledge Forum. We focus on the social network tool that allows us to examine communication patterns among the students when working online. Using the data obtained, we examine the growth and development of online community formation during the first week of class for a group of naïve users in a third-year university class. Examining the note reading and response networks, we see that the note reading network develops more rapidly than the responding network, and that it is more symmetric than the responding network. However, by mid-term, a highly connected network has developed for both note-reading and responding.
Computer Competency: A 7-Year Study to Identify Gaps in Student Computer Skills
Author: Shuster, George F.
Date: 2011-11-00
Type: Journal Articles
Subjects: Computer Literacy,Higher Education,Competence,Nursing Students,Longitudinal Studies,Electronic Learning,Distance Education,Hypothesis Testing,Student Surveys,Likert Scales,Knowledge Level

Computer competency is crucial to student success in higher education. Assessment of student knowledge related to specific computer competencies can provide faculty with important information about the strengths and weaknesses of their students' computer competency skills. The purpose of this study was to identify the competency level of two groups of nursing students (registered nurses [RNs; n = 236] and traditional nursing students [n = 407]) over a 7-year period to assess which computer competencies need the most support and to determine how computer competencies varied with successive groups of students. Results indicated that the competency of students increased with each successive group of students. Results also showed that there were significant differences in computer competency levels between the RN and traditional student groups. Competency varied across technological functions, with students having the lowest competency levels in the Data Inquiry competency dimension.
A Confirmatory Factor Analysis of the Motivated Self-Regulated Learning Questionnaire in an EFL Context
Author: Ayatollahi, Mohammad Ali
Date: 2011-11-00
Type: Journal Articles
Subjects: Factor Analysis,English (Second Language),Second Language Learning,Computer Science,College Students,Study Habits,Learning Strategies,Foreign Countries,Validity,Factor Structure,Metacognition,Structural Equation Models

The Motivated Strategies for Learning Questionnaire (MSLQ) is an instrument for measuring motivation and learning strategies in general education. This instrument is modular, consisting of motivation and learning strategies modules. This study sought to see whether the learning strategies module of this instrument can be applied to the context of English Language Learning (EFL). For this purpose, the instrument was administered to a group of Iranian EFL college students (n = 190) as well as a group of Iranian computer science students (n = 74). The validity of the learning strategies module of this instrument in the new context was studied by analyzing the factor structure of responses made to it. Confirmatory factor analysis was run to perform a factor analysis of the data. Confirmatory factor analysis revealed identical factor structures for EFL and general education contexts, suggesting that MSLQ is a valid measurement instrument in determining EFL college students' study strategies as well.
Willingness to Communicate and Language Learning Orientations in Iranian EFL Context
Author: Zarrinabadi, Nourollah
Date: 2011-11-00
Type: Journal Articles
Subjects: Foreign Countries,English (Second Language),Second Language Learning,Correlation,English Literature,Majors (Students),Likert Scales,Questionnaires,Translation,College Students,Communication (Thought Transfer),Student Attitudes

The objective of this study is to investigate the relationship between Iranian EFL Learners' willingness to communicate (WTC) inside and outside the classroom and their language learning orientations. Sixty seven intermediate students (36 males and 31 females) who were majoring in English Literature and Translation at University of Isfahan during the academic year of 2010-2011 participated in the study. The students were bilingual and their age ranged from 19 to 24. Modified versions of likert-type questionnaires developed by MacIntyre, Baker, Clement, and Conrod (2001) were used for measuring students' willingness to communicate inside and outside the classroom and language learning orientations. The data obtained from the study indicated language orientations to be more correlated with willingness to communicate outside than inside the classroom.
A Validity Study of Attitudes toward Science Scale among Iranian Secondary School Students
Author: Liaghatdar, Muhammad J.
Date: 2011-11-00
Type: Journal Articles
Subjects: Foreign Countries,Secondary School Students,Student Attitudes,Attitude Measures,Test Validity,Scientific Attitudes,Factor Analysis,Factor Structure,Multivariate Analysis,Test Reliability,Construct Validity

The purpose of this study is providing a scale for measuring attitudes toward science among Persian secondary school students. A total of 300 (150 girls and 150 boys) of second grade students from all disciplines including science and mathematics in secondary education, participated in the study. Research instrument was, translated Persian version of Simpson-Troost Attitude Questionnaire (STAQ). After performing the scale among the sample, the data was analyzed by SPSS software. The reliability of questionnaire was found to be 0.84. Factor analysis indicated that more than 35.8% of the total variance was explained with the scale scores. After factor rotation, five factors of attractiveness of science, the class/teacher, self-directed efforts, anxiety toward science and the family pattern were identified. Thus it was shown that the scale is multidimensional and the dimensions have appropriate reliability and validity to measure attitudes toward science, so this instrument could be used in the next Persian research in measuring attitudes toward science. Multivariate Analysis (MANOVA) of data showed that there is no significant difference between sex and students' attitudes toward science. But in the third factor (self-directed efforts) was a significant difference between sex and students' attitudes toward science and the average of female students were higher than male students. Test results also showed that there is significant different between discipline of students and their attitudes to science and attitudes of empirical science students have the better attitudes than themselves, while science students in first factors (attractiveness of science) and in second factor (class/Teacher), had mean higher average than mathematical physics students.
Improving the Textbook Adoption Process in Taiwan
Author: Ho, Hsuan-fu
Date: 2011-11-00
Type: Journal Articles
Subjects: Foreign Countries,Textbooks,Elementary School Teachers,Textbook Selection,Selection Criteria,Teacher Surveys,Statistical Analysis

Textbooks were centrally selected in Taiwan until 1996 when the government commissioned its Textbook Liberalization Reform. Although this policy received complements from scholars and the general public, it encounters many unexpected problems in its implementation. The aims of this research are thus to identify the major criteria used by elementary school teachers for textbook selection, to calculate the relative weights of the criteria, and to map the relative market positions of the major textbook publishers. Survey questionnaires were administered to 504 elementary school teachers. AHP, ANOVA, and correspondence analysis were adopted for analyses. The results show that accuracy of content and instruction methodologies are the two most emphasized criteria. Moreover, teachers of different backgrounds rank the criteria differently. Suggestions are given to teachers and textbook publishers for improving the textbook selection process in Taiwan.
Problems and Resolutions in the Practice of Project Teaching in Higher Vocational Schools
Author: Sheng, Zhichong
Date: 2011-11-00
Type: Journal Articles
Subjects: Foreign Countries,Vocational Schools,Vocational Education,Vocational Education Teachers,Teaching Methods,Higher Education,Student Centered Curriculum,Theory Practice Relationship

Recently, there has been a hot discussion on project teaching theory among many higher vocational schools; however the practice of project teaching is still in the beginning period. Hence, many problems appear in project lead. This paper aims to analyze the existing problems in the practice of project teaching and also raise some resolutions.
Self-Esteem and Hopelessness, and Resiliency: An Exploratory Study of Adolescents in Turkey
Author: Karatas, Zeynep
Date: 2011-11-00
Type: Journal Articles
Subjects: Foreign Countries,Adolescents,Self Esteem,Psychological Patterns,Resilience (Psychology),Individual Characteristics,Self Efficacy,Persistence,Locus of Control,Coping,Adjustment (to Environment),Predictor Variables,Questionnaires,Regression (Statistics),Surveys,High School Students

Adolescence is a time of rapid development and change. In this developmental period, adolescents have to struggle with a large number of stress factors. In this process resilience is important to have as an adaptive, stress-resistant personal quality. The recent research considers that numerous factors contribute to resilience in adolescents; the internal characteristics associated with resilience include such as self-esteem, self-efficacy, perseverance, internal locus of control, coping and adaptation skills. The purpose of this study is to explore self-esteem and hopelessness as the predictor of resiliency of adolescents. The participants in this study are 223 high school school students (90 females and 133 males). Main instruments are Beck Hopelessness Scale, California Healthy Kids Survey Resilience-Youth Development Module High School Questionnaire and Coopersmith Self-Esteem Scale. The data has been analyzed by regression analysis. The findings showed that self-esteem and hopelessness is a significant predictor of resilience in adolescents. There was a positive relationship between self-esteem and resilience, but there was a negative relationship between hopelessness and resilience. In accordance with the results obtained from this study, there is a correlation between adolescents' self-esteem, hopelessness and resilience levels. Finally, findings warrant further investigation of the interaction effects of self esteem and hopelessness on resilience.
HRM Practices in Public and Private Universities of Pakistan: A Comparative Study
Author: Iqbal, Muhammad Zafar
Date: 2011-11-00
Type: Journal Articles
Subjects: Foreign Countries,Public Colleges,Private Colleges,Labor Force Development,Personnel Management,College Administration,Administrators,Statistical Analysis,School Personnel,Compensation (Remuneration),Teamwork,Participation,Personnel Evaluation

The purpose of this study was to compare the HRM practices of public and private universities in Punjab province of Pakistan. The data for the study was collected through a questionnaire comprising 30 items mainly related to job definition, training and development, compensation, team work, employee's participation and performance appraisal. The instrument was validated through pilot testing. The internal reliability of the instrument was found to be 0.85. The sample was comprised of 60 executives (directors/heads of departments) selected randomly from six universities. The collected data was analyzed by applying descriptive and inferential statistical techniques such as means and independent sample t-test. The results showed that there was a significant difference in HRM practices according to executives of public and private universities. HRM practices in the areas of job definition, training and development, compensation, team work and employees participation were better in the public universities than private universities. However, performance appraisal practices were found better in the private universities than public sector universities. At the end recommendations were made for the HRM executives of private and public universities to improve their HRM practices in favor of their employees.