ethanporcaro/eric-fulltext-meta huggingface dataset:
Outlook on Student Retention in Higher Education University Reforms in Morocco
Author: Mansouri, Zoulal
Date: 2017-04-00
Type: Journal Articles
Subjects: Foreign Countries,College Students,School Holding Power,Educational Change,Educational Quality,Student Attrition,Educational History,College Admission

High student attrition rates at university have become one of the most challenging issues in higher education worldwide in the last five decades. Moroccan universities are no exception. At-risk students drop out of studies for a plethora of reasons, and the attrition rate is increasing despite the efforts made in education reforms carried out since 1999. This article reviews the most important components of the higher education reforms that have been adopted in Moroccan higher education in their endeavor to enhance student retention in university. These components are chronologically reviewed, first in the National Charter of Education and Training (NCET) launched in 1999, second in the Emergency Plan conducted in 2009-2012, and finally in the latest Strategic Vision of Reform 2015-2030. It is concluded that more efforts are necessary to strike a balance between quantity and quality in terms of student retention in university education.
Self-Generated Literacy Practices in Disadvantaged Environments in Chile
Author: Calderón López, Margarita
Date: 2017-01-00
Type: Journal Articles
Subjects: Literacy,Disadvantaged Environment,Foreign Countries,Elementary School Students,Parent Attitudes,Photography,Learning Processes,Personal Autonomy,Participatory Research,Literacy Education,Student Attitudes,Creative Writing,Social Media,Discourse Analysis,Semi Structured Interviews

This study explores the role of literacy in disadvantaged environments and the interplay between self-generated literacy practices and their conceptualization of literacy in 7 to 10-year-old Chilean pupils from two different schools located in Santiago, Chile. The study was framed within a participatory approach focused on promoting the children's agency and voice in the research. A range of second-level data materials were collected through interviews with parents, photographs and existing documents. Although at a resources-associated level the sociocultural context did not inhibit the emergence of literacy practices, the context did contribute to the children's understanding of literacy. This study raises the need for considering how children's understanding of literacy influence their involvement and learning about reading and writing as their experiences and perceptions have an important role in their learning process, particularly on how they develop their reading and writing practices. The findings implied that by raising the participants' awareness of the relevance of everyday practices in relation with reading and writing, they are likelier to feel more comfortable and empowered towards their own literacy practices. Particularly, the empowerment of children coming from a disadvantaged background would give them more opportunities to support their learning. By making the children aware of the relevance of their own perceptions and practices, the pupils could gain in confidence, be agents of their learning processes, and have more resources to succeed on the demanding school environment.
Open Communication: Having Your Voice Heard
Author: Brown, Angela
Date: 2015-01-00
Type: Journal Articles
Subjects: Freedom,Slavery,Ideology,Interpersonal Communication,Communication Strategies,African American History,African American Culture

Communication is the use of language to exchange information to one another. African slaves used to embark on communication by means of using common symbols and speech, telling stories, singing spirituals, writing poems. As time revolved, blacks valued education. Education and the ability to read write and effectively would give them the skill or trade they needed to overcome obstacles, to be competitive with society and to become successful. The nature of communication would evolve productively towards social and economic freedom.
Movie Effects on EFL Learners at Iraqi School in Kuala Lumpur
Author: Yaseen, Bilal Huri
Date: 2015-07-00
Type: Journal Articles
Subjects: English (Second Language),Films,Second Language Learning,Second Language Instruction,Teaching Methods,Foreign Countries,Video Technology,Preferences,Pretests Posttests,Information Technology,Correlation,Student Attitudes,Instructional Effectiveness,Vocabulary Development,Statistical Analysis,Qualitative Research

Previously, one of the vital tasks of English learning is to find new methods and resources to make the EFL students more stimulating and productive. Recently, the usage of movies (in DVD format) in courses became popular or supplementary resources to learn English among EFL learners. Many researchers stated that authentic video is an advantage and inspiring tool in language learning. However, there have been quite few studies on the relationship between effective learning and students' movie preferences. This research aims at finding the relationship between effective learning and students' movie preferences. To this end, data were collected by using posttests. Participants were students from a Iraqi school in Kuala Lumpur. The researchers uncovered that the participants had insight into the subtitles/captions which are used in the movie in classrooms. The implications of these findings and suggestions are discussed.
Teachers' and Learners' Perceptions of Applying Translation as a Method, Strategy, or Technique in an Iranian EFL Setting
Author: Mollaei, Fatemeh
Date: 2017-04-00
Type: Journal Articles
Subjects: Teaching Methods,Translation,English (Second Language),Second Language Learning,Second Language Instruction,Student Attitudes,Teacher Attitudes,Interviews,Grammar,Syntax,Vocabulary Development,Language Proficiency,Qualitative Research,Statistical Analysis,Undergraduate Students,Native Language,Interference (Language),Questionnaires,Graduate Students,College Faculty,Language Teachers,Foreign Countries

It has been found that translation is an efficient means to teach/learn grammar, syntax, and lexis of a foreign language. Meanwhile, translation is good for beginners who do not still enjoy the critical level of proficiency in their target language for expression. This study was conducted to examine the teachers' and learners' perceptions of employing translation in the foreign language classroom; i.e., the effects, merits, demerits, limitations, as well as its use as a method, strategy or technique. Both quantitative and qualitative methods were used to collect and analyze the data from graduate and undergraduate learners (n = 56) and teachers (n = 44), male and female, who responded to two questionnaires. Additionally, only the teachers were interviewed to gain richer insight into their perceptions and attitudes. According to the results of independent samples t-test, there was no significant difference between teachers' and learners' attitude to applying translation as a method, strategy, or technique in learning a foreign language. Based on the interview results, some teachers believed that employing translation in the foreign language context was helpful but not constantly. They claimed that translation was only effective in teaching vocabulary and grammar apart from learners' proficiency level as it can clarify meaning. But some other teachers noted that mother tongue would interfere with learning foreign language; they considered translation as a time-consuming activity through which students cannot capture the exact meaning.
Wiki, a New Wave of Innovation for Teaching and Collaborative Learning
Author: Mirzajani, Hassan
Date: 2015-10-00
Type: Journal Articles
Subjects: Web Sites,Editing,Collaborative Writing,Web 2.0 Technologies,Educational Technology,Educational Innovation,Cooperative Learning,Teaching Methods,Student Developed Materials,Information Technology,Active Learning

Educational technology is a dynamic major which is ever developing. In the past, educational technology was one dimensional, but nowadays it has become multi-dimensional, flexible and learner-centered. A revolution has happened in teaching methods from the perspective of web. Novel technologies in web and new role of users' have led to the appearance of application programs on the basis of collaborative and social intelligence. Users have active participation, exploit their own beliefs, make the target concept, edit it and participate there. The most important feature of this kind of media is users' ability to participate in its content production. Users can exploit wikis in the process of educational technology. A wiki is a social medium which enables users to produce and edit constantly in an HTML environment. The aim of this article is to introduce wikis as educational and training tools. The degree to which these obstacles affect ICT users and institutes can support decision-making on how to equip them is discussed.
The Relationship between Cultural Identity, Intrinsic Motivation and Pronunciation Knowledge of Iranian EFL Learners
Author: Shabani, Somayyeh
Date: 2017-04-00
Type: Journal Articles
Subjects: Correlation,Self Concept,English (Second Language),Second Language Learning,Second Language Instruction,Pronunciation,Learning Motivation,Questionnaires,Student Attitudes,Foreign Countries,Cultural Influences,Cultural Background,Scores,Language Tests,Teaching Methods,Pronunciation Instruction,Adult Students,Muslims,Interviews

Gardener's (1985) socio-cultural model shows that culture is among the variables that can affect learning languages. In addition, a series of studies were prompted by Dörnyie (2005) to gauge the effect of motivation on language learning. This correlational study endeavored to find out any possible interaction between these variables, i.e., cultural identity, intrinsic motivation, and pronunciation knowledge of Iranian EFL learners at intermediate level. To this end, 9 items from Mathews' Cultural Identity Questionnaire (2007) (as cited in Bazrafshan, 2015) along with intrinsic/extrinsic motivation questionnaire developed by Noels, Pelletier, Clement, and Vallerand (2000) were given to the 49 intermediate Iranian EFL learners who were selected among 74 learners studying at Mahan Language Institute in Birjand. The participants' pronunciation knowledge was also measured through an interview. The results of the data analysis through Pearson correlation revealed that cultural identity shows no relationship with pronunciation knowledge of the participants, whereas more intrinsically motivated language learners gained higher scores on the pronunciation test. Pedagogical implications are discussed.
A User's Guide to Topological Data Analysis
Author: Munch, Elizabeth
Date: 2017-00-00
Type: Journal Articles
Subjects: Data Analysis,Topology,Graphs,Proximity,Computer Software,Visualization,Measurement Techniques

Topological data analysis (TDA) is a collection of powerful tools that can quantify shape and structure in data in order to answer questions from the data's domain. This is done by representing some aspect of the structure of the data in a simplified topological signature. In this article, we introduce two of the most commonly used topological signatures. First, the persistence diagram represents loops and holes in the space by considering connectivity of the data points for a continuum of values rather than a single fixed value. The second topological signature, the mapper graph, returns a 1-dimensional structure representing the shape of the data, and is particularly good for exploration and visualization of the data. While these techniques are based on very sophisticated mathematics, the current ubiquity of available software means that these tools are more accessible than ever to be applied to data by researchers in education and learning, as well as all domain scientists.
Using Keystroke Analytics to Improve Pass-Fail Classifiers
Author: Casey, Kevin
Date: 2017-00-00
Type: Journal Articles
Subjects: Keyboarding (Data Entry),Educational Research,Data Collection,Data Analysis,Pass Fail Grading,Computer Assisted Testing,Programming,At Risk Students,Classification,Accuracy,Prediction,Identification,Low Achievement,Early Intervention,Undergraduate Students,Computer Science Education,Correlation,Foreign Countries

Learning analytics offers insights into student behaviour and the potential to detect poor performers before they fail exams. If the activity is primarily online (for example computer programming), a wealth of low-level data can be made available that allows unprecedented accuracy in predicting which students will pass or fail. In this paper, we present a classification system for early detection of poor performers based on student effort data, such as the complexity of the programs they write, and show how it can be improved by the use of low-level keystroke analytics.
Individual Differences Related to College Students' Course Performance in Calculus II
Author: Hart, Sara A.
Date: 2017-00-00
Type: Journal Articles
Subjects: Academic Achievement,Calculus,Mathematics Instruction,Educational Technology,Technology Uses in Education,Homework,Video Technology,Student Attitudes,Peer Teaching,Grades (Scholastic),Workshops,Mathematics Tests,Predictor Variables,College Students,College Mathematics,STEM Education,Spatial Ability,Student Surveys,Online Courses,Mathematics Anxiety,Rating Scales,Longitudinal Studies,Surveys,Statistical Analysis

In this study, we explore student achievement in a semester-long flipped Calculus II course, combining various predictor measures related to student attitudes (math anxiety, math confidence, math interest, math importance) and cognitive skills (spatial skills, approximate number system), as well as student engagement with the online system (discussion forum interaction, time to submission of workshop assignments, quiz attempts), in predicting final grades. Data from 85 students enrolled in a flipped Calculus II course was used in dominance analysis to determine which predictors emerged as the most important for predicting final grades. Results indicated that feelings of math importance, approximate number system (ANS) ability, total amount of discussion forum posting, and time grading peer workshop submissions was the best combination of predictors of final grade, accounting for 17% of variance in a student's final grade. The point of this work was to determine which predictors are the most important in predicting student grade, with the end goal of building a recommendation system that could be implemented to help students in this traditionally difficult class. The methods used here could be used for any class.
The Relationship between Statistical Analysis Abilities and the Production of Research among Saudi Faculty Members
Author: Al-Hattami, Abdulghani Ali Dawod
Date: 2015-10-00
Type: Journal Articles
Subjects: Foreign Countries,Statistical Analysis,Teacher Researchers,College Faculty,Scientific Research,Teacher Competencies,Teacher Surveys,Mathematics Skills,Data Collection,Productivity,Knowledge Level,Likert Scales

Scientific research plays an important role in creating growth and progress in developing countries (Greenstone, 2010). Developed countries have realized that importance and focused on conducting scientific researches to help them make valuable decisions. Many Arab countries, including Saudi Arabia, are trying to encourage faculty members at all universities to write as many good quality researches as possible and benefit from the results that can serve the society better. This study examines the relationship between competency of university faculty members to statistically analyse data and their production of research. The sample included 158 faculty members from four universities in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia. Participants were asked to respond to a survey that carried 13 questions related to the ability to perform descriptive and inferential statistics. The results showed that more than 70% of faculty members do not have the ability to statistically analyse research data. The results also revealed that there was a significant positive relationship between the ability of faculty members to statistically analyse research data and the number of quantitative researches they produce, r = 0.69, p &lt; 0.05. Such results explain why many academicians revert to writing qualitative research. It is recommended that faculty members in Saudi universities should improve their knowledge about the use and implementation of statistical tests appropriately.
How to Combine Professionalism with Modernisation in Today's Higher Education in Italy: A Case Study at Bologna University
Author: Poli, Susi
Date: 2016-01-00
Type: Journal Articles
Subjects: Foreign Countries,Professionalism,Higher Education,Case Studies,Educational Practices,Educational Change,Evidence,Program Implementation,Content Analysis,Position Papers,Professional Identity,Communities of Practice,Definitions

This article contextualises the Higher Education in Italy from the outset by describing deeply rooted but accepted practices, such as the long-term dominance of academic groups in decision making--baroni and their &quot;court&quot;--and also the widespread custom of &quot;Raccomandazioni&quot; as the means to lead mechanisms of recruitment among &quot;peers&quot;, being these academics or professional staff. However, assuming that forms of professionalism exist in this sector, our aim is to look for evidence of this professionalism; this will be done by looking at the most recent reform and at how this has been implemented within one of the professional communities. Later on, after taking into account the case-study of this group of professionals within the wider community, we explain why this can be regarded as a good practice of professionalism in HE management in the sector: in this case, modernisation and changes, backed by collective attitudes aiming at valorising domains of expertise, have been implemented across parts of the community and have also affected the whole institution. Overall, these collective understandings have facilitated the process of modernisation and its assimilation, since they have arisen from professionalism opportunely contextualised. Findings show how forms of professionalism are more likely to be found in small communities; and also how these, acting as communities of practice, can valorise one's knowledge and be driving forces at the time of any restructuring. Whilst, implications from this study aim to back further research into higher education management in Italy as well as into professional staff.
Exploring Saudi Pre-Service Teachers' Knowledge of Critical Thinking Skills and Their Teaching Perceptions
Author: Gashan, Amani K.
Date: 2015-01-00
Type: Journal Articles
Subjects: Foreign Countries,Critical Thinking,Thinking Skills,Statistical Analysis,Preservice Teachers,Knowledge Level,Student Attitudes,Questionnaires,Student Surveys

The current study aimed to investigate Saudi pre-service teachers' knowledge about the general concepts of critical thinking, as well as its skills. In addition, the study explored their perceptions about critical thinking and its teaching in classrooms with an aim to develop learning and teaching process. The study was conducted with twenty-nine male students at a teacher education program in the College of Education, King Saud University. The quantitative method was used, employing a three-part instrument. The quantitative data was analyzed with SPSS software program (ver. 20.0), using sums, means and standard deviations of pre-service teachers' responses on the questionnaires. According to the findings of the current study, pre-service teachers who were enrolled in the College of Education were found to have inadequate knowledge about critical thinking skills. Although, the present study concluded that pre-service teachers held positive opinions about the value of teaching critical thinking, they generally had unsure knowledge about critical thinking. They expressed that they are not sure if they had the skills necessary to promote critical thinking by students in their classes. The current study recommends that education preparation programs are in need to be reviewed and specialized courses in critical thinking skills need to be incorporated. Pre-service teachers' knowledge about critical thinking should be enhanced to enable them reflect what they have of skills on their future teaching duties. More exploration is suggested to explore critical thinking knowledge among college teachers and to examine their methods of teaching critical thinking.
Second Chance School Students' Attitudes toward the Use of Computers in Domokos Prison, Greece
Author: Giannoukos, Georgios
Date: 2016-01-00
Type: Journal Articles
Subjects: Foreign Countries,Correctional Education,Correctional Institutions,Institutionalized Persons,Computer Uses in Education,Educational Technology,Attitude Measures,Young Adults,Computer Literacy,Anxiety,Access to Computers,Questionnaires,Statistical Analysis,Males,Rating Scales,Student Attitudes

This paper is an attempt to explore educational issues in a school operating in a prison in the hope that findings will be useful in further and larger-scale research. The objective of the study was to investigate the attitudes of inmates attending the Second Chance School, Domokos prison, Greece, towards the use of computers with the help of the research scale, Computer Anxiety Rating Scale (CARS) by Heinssen, Glass &amp; Knight (1987). The research took place in February 2014. Thirty eight inmate students, from different countries, aged 21 to 45 who were enrolled in the 1st and 2nd year of the Second Chance School were the subjects of the study. The research showed that respondents were very enthusiastic about learning about computers but most were anxious that large amounts of data could accidentally be erased. The learners believed that computers are essential in education and the workplace and also believed that they were able to acquire relevant skills. The final result of the research revealed increased anxiety about computers probably because inmate students have limited access to them. This could be an obstacle in the learning process as a reluctance to use computers could hinder computer assisted learning.
Exploring the Main Barriers of Technology Integration in the English Language Teaching Classroom: A Qualitative Study
Author: Khodabandelou, Rouholllah
Date: 2016-01-00
Type: Journal Articles
Subjects: Educational Technology,Technology Integration,English (Second Language),Second Language Instruction,Teaching Methods,Technology Uses in Education,Foreign Countries,Barriers,Higher Education,Focus Groups,Graduate Students,Student Role,Teacher Role,Student Attitudes,Educational Policy,Environmental Influences

The abundance of technology in recent years has contributed to development in the societies, industries, and education. It is proven from the current trend of technology such as the emergence and rise of smart phones, tablets, laptops and wireless internet connection that the present and future world will be heralded by technology. The integration of technology into the teaching and learning process is idealistic with the existence of vast information and multimedia on the internet and innovative inventions of devices that serve as great assistance. However, the available technology has not been put to good use in the English language teaching and learning classroom for some reasons, especially in developing countries like Malaysia. Thus, this research is conducted to determine the hindrances faced by the education community in Malaysia. The current qualitative research involved seven individuals who discussed issues relating to the hindrances of technology integration in English language teaching and learning. This paper presents the results of the discussion and provides suggestions on some possible solutions to the identified obstacles faced by the education community in using technology in a more efficient and resourceful manner for the teaching and learning development.